A Small Number of Drugs Account for a Large Share of Medicare Part D Spending July 12, 2023 Issue Brief The Inflation Reduction Act requires the federal government to negotiate the price of certain high-spending drugs covered by Medicare. This analysis provides context for understanding the potential impact of negotiating prices for a limited number of Medicare-covered drugs by identifying the 10 top-selling Part D drugs in 2021, measuring the share of total Part D drug spending accounted for by top-selling drugs that year, and examining changes in spending and use of these drugs since 2018.
New KFF Analysis Examines Rapidly Evolving Federal Policies For Substance Use Disorder Treatment for the Opioid Epidemic July 11, 2023 News Release A new KFF analysis finds that 24 percent more buprenorphine, a medication to treat opioid use disorder, was dispensed in 2022 than in 2019, the year before the pandemic brought a surge of opioid overdose deaths – and a focus on how to expand access and treatment. This upward trend…
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Look at the Evolving Landscape of Federal OUD Treatment Policies July 11, 2023 Issue Brief Federal policies governing substance use disorder treatment have undergone rapid changes during the pandemic; however, the extent to which these changes can address the surge in opioid overdose deaths is unclear. Some of these policy adjustments are permanent, while others could revert to pre-pandemic regulations. In this brief, we examine the following 5 key federal policies and implications for access and treatment for OUD.
Overview of Health Coverage and Care for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) July 7, 2023 Issue Brief This brief analyzes 2021 American Community Survey data to highlight demographic, socioeconomic , and health coverage characteristics of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).
New Alzheimer’s Drugs Spark Hope for Patients and Cost Concerns for Medicare July 6, 2023 Blog The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Leqembi, a new Alzheimer’s drug, on July 6, 2023. This updated policy watch focuses on the implications of Medicare coverage of the drug for program spending as well as equity and affordability issues for beneficiaries, and the potential for the Inflation Reduction Act to address the spending impacts. It also covers additional details from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about patient registries.
Amaya Diana July 6, 2023 Person Amaya Diana is a policy analyst with KFF’s Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured. In this role, she conducts research and policy analysis related to health insurance coverage and access to care for low-income populations, with a focus on Medicaid 1115 waiver activity. Prior to joining KFF, she was a…
A Closer Look at the Five Largest Publicly Traded Companies Operating Medicaid Managed Care Plans July 6, 2023 Issue Brief This brief takes a closer look at the five largest publicly traded companies operating Medicaid MCOs which account for half of Medicaid MCO enrollment nationally. Information and data reported in this brief come from quarterly company earnings reports, financial filings, and other company materials as well as from national administrative data.
Mental Health Care Needs and Experiences Among LGBT+ People June 30, 2023 Issue Brief In this report, we examine LGBT+ people’s needs for and experiences accessing mental health care by analyzing data from a nationally representative 2022 KFF survey with a large sample of LGBT+ adults.