The American journal of managed care
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Osteoporosis is a condition affecting millions of Americans, the majority of which are women secondary to low estrogen in the postmenopausal state. In many instances, the diagnosis is not recognized until after a fracture has occurred due to the "silent" nature of this disease. ⋯ Goals of care include preventing the progression of disease and minimizing bone fractures, particularly in the hips, spine, and wrists. This article will examine the risks of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women, the current and emerging pharmacologic treatment options, and the role of managed care pharmacists in decreasing economic burden and improving patient care.
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Optimizing care for patients with advanced kidney disease requires close collaboration between primary care physicians (PCPs) and nephrologists. Factors associated with PCP referral to nephrology were assessed in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2. ⋯ Impediments to appropriately timed nephrology referrals persist in patients with high likelihoods of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Improved access to nephrology care should be rapidly addressed to meet targets in the 2019 Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health.
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Observational Study
Variation in generic dispensing rates in Medicare Part D.
The use of generics in Medicare Part D generates cost savings for plan sponsors, beneficiaries, and the federal government. However, there is considerable variation in generic use across plans, even within a therapeutic class. Our objective is to understand the extent of variation in generic use in Part D and to understand factors associated with generic use. ⋯ Because we cannot study the impact of brand-name drug rebates on generic use, we can study the variation in generic use across Part D plans as an indirect way to assess pharmacy benefit manager and plan incentives. We find circumstantial evidence that, in certain classes, rebates may play a role in influencing brand over generic use, although the exact relationship is unknowable given the proprietary nature of rebates.
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To determine which combinations of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) contribute to total spending and differences in spending between groups based on sex, race/ethnicity, and rural residency. ⋯ When considering a range of MCC combinations, we observed differences in total payments between racial/ethnic minority groups and White beneficiaries. Our results highlight the ongoing need to make changes in the health care system to make the system more accessible to racial/ethnic minority groups.
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The authors introduce a mobile phone app that may effectively prevent and manage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in outpatient hemodialysis patients in Sichuan Province, China.