The American journal of managed care
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Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia and the fifth leading cause of death in adults older than 65 years. The estimated total healthcare costs for the treatment of Alzheimer disease in 2020 is estimated at $305 billion, with the cost expected to increase to more than $1 trillion as the population ages. ⋯ Managed care organizations are in a unique position to develop utilization strategies that would positively impact early diagnosis and treatment to lead to better outcomes and lower costs for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. Additionally, the recent inclusion of Alzheimer disease diagnoses into risk corridor calculations by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may encourage Medicare Advantage organizations to invest in programs that aid in its early detection and diagnosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Impact of primary care intensive management on medication adherence and adjustments.
The Veterans Health Administration implemented a pilot program for primary care intensive management (PIM) for patients at high risk for hospitalization. We examined the impact of the program on medication adherence and adjustments for patients with chronic conditions. ⋯ Medication adherence improved for DPP-4 inhibitors, and more hyperlipidemia drugs were prescribed for PIM patients. Overall impacts of PIM were modest.
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To examine the association between service volume and guideline adherence via multiyear observations. ⋯ In the process of implementing a new practice guideline for treating patients with diabetes, physicians with higher patient volumes are more likely to adhere to the guideline recommendation.
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This study analyzed annual trends in the distribution of beneficiaries entering each benefit phase and the utilization of and expenditures for prescription drugs among Medicare Part D beneficiaries from 2008 to 2015. ⋯ Although this study provides support for reductions in financial barriers to prescription drugs under the ACA, substantial increases in both total drug spending and the proportion of high-cost beneficiaries in the Part D program indicate a growing burden of Part D spending on the Medicare program, which is expected to continue to grow in the future.