March 11, 2025, will mark 5 years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Between January 22, 2020, and March 10, 2023, Johns Hopkins University recorded over 676 million confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide and more than 6.8 million related deaths. In the US alone, it reported over 103 million cases and more than 1 mi…

Rachael Drake, pharmacy technician coordinator, University of Kansas Health System, explains how her team collaborates with insurance companies and providers to support patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma access treatment.Av Managed Care Cast

Today we are bringing you insights from 3 separate interviews with experts about the treatment, management, and burdens of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).In this podcast, you’ll hear insight from the following individuals: Toby Maher, MD, PhD, professor of clinical medicine, Keck School of Medicine, USC; Martin Kolb, MD, PhD, professor of medi…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Joanne Armstrong, MD, MPH, the vice president and chief medical officer for women's health and genomics at CVS Health.We explored the progress and persistent challenges in women's health, highlighting topics like care access, the role of technology, maternal health outcomes, and efforts to br…

In this special episode of Managed Care Cast, the executive editor of The American Journal of Managed Care, Mary Caffrey, speaks with Tyler Sandahl, PharmD, of Cleveland Clinic, and Michael Byrne, DO, of Tennessee Oncology, about the use of bispecific antibodies to treat patients with multiple myeloma, the importance of caregivers for this regimen,…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Josie Cooper, BA, executive director of the Alliance for Patient Access.Her study, "Utilization Management and Physician Burnout," involved a survey that assessed physician experiences with utilization management and burnout, investigating the potential link between the 2.…

Dr Elizabeth Warner, chief medical officer at CDPHP, discusses how Wellness Way's focus on patient experience, community partnerships, and integration of physical and mental health care services sets it apart from traditional hospital-based care.Av Managed Care Cast

Prompt care supports mental well-being, as hidradenitis suppurativa is often associated with depression and anxiety due to its physical and social challenges.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Benjamin Ukert, PhD, of Elevance Health's Public Policy Institute. His study, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Prior Authorizations for Patients With Cancer," evaluated prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.…

In our conversation with Jeff Giullian, MD, MBA, chief medical officer with DaVita Kidney Care, we dive into 4 important aspects of kidney care: prevention, social support, integrated care, and patient supportAv Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Rick Chapman, PhD, chief science officer of the Center for Innovation & Value Research, formerly known as the Innovation and Value Initiative (IVI).We discussed the Center's Rare Disease project, including the primary goals, key discoveries from Phase 1, and what to expect moving forward.…

To help celebrate and recognize National Recovery Month, we have brought you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In this final episode, we speak with Lyndra Bills, MD, senior medical director, and Shari Hutchison, MS, director of program evaluation and outcomes, both with Communit…

Delia Orosco, MS, director of Community Wellness Centers at Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), shares insight into innovative initiatives like the mobile mammogram clinics.Av Managed Care Cast

To recognize National Recovery Month, we are bringing you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In episode 4, Amy Herschell, PhD, associate vice president, Program Implementation and Evaluation, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, and Jessica Meyers, MSEd, senior advisor …

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Simon F. Haeder, PhD, MPA, associate professor of public health at Texas A&M University.His study, "When is a Network Adequate? Consumer Perspectives on Network Adequacy Definitions," explored the factors that consumers consider essential for an adequate provider network, including travel tim…

Chris Barton, senior director of Integrated Systems of Care & Network Innovation at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, discusses how the Youth Behavioral Health Strategy program focuses on addressing the specific needs of youth with mental health and substance use issues through a comprehensive approach…

To recognize National Recovery Month, we are bringing you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In episode 3, we speak with Kim MacDonald-Wilson, ScD, CPRP, senior director, Recovery and Wellness Transformation, and Tracy Carney, CPS, CPRP, senior recovery specialist, both at Commun…

To recognize National Recovery Month, we are bringing you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In episode 2, we speak with Rebekah Sedlock, DSW, LCSW, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, part of the UPMC Insurance Services Division, and Mandy Fauble, PhD, LCSW, UPMC West…

To recognize National Recovery Month, we are bringing you another limited-edition month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In episode 1, we speak with Michael Lynch, MD, associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and an attending emergency physician and medical toxicologist at t…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Eden Miller, DO, founder of the Diabetes and Obesity Care clinic in Bend, Oregon, which provides high-level obesity intervention and diabetes treatment and prevention.Her study, "Inadequate Insurance Coverage for Overweight/Obesity Management," reviews the US obesity epidemic and discusses in…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Marge Ciancetta, the product manager of Cotiviti's Star Intelligence solution, which helps health plans and providers improve their Medicare Advantage Star Ratings.We discussed all things Star Ratings, including their importance, how they are calculated, and their impact on plans in 2024. Loo…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Sreekanth Chaguturu, MD, chief medical officer of CVS Health; Cathy Moffitt, MD, FAAP, CHIE, chief medical officer of Aetna; and Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, chief health equity officer of CVS Health.We discuss various topics, including the current challenges in primary and preventive car…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast we speak with Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, 2024-2025 president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, on the recent report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF on public immunization rates, with national and global health implications.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Jason Spangler, MD, MPH, the CEO of the Center for Innovation and Value Research, formerly known as the Innovation and Value Initiative (IVI). We discuss the strengths and limitations of health technology assessment (HTA), one major limitation being its lack of equity. We also touch on IVI's …

Melissa Clarke, MD, CMQ, the chief health equity officer at Elevance Health, explains "Health Equity by Design" and how Elevance Health is committed to ensuring a personalized and intentional approach for all its members, regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and geographic or financial access.…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Jason Shafrin, PhD, the senior managing director of FTI Consulting's Center for Healthcare Economics and Policy and an adjunct professor in the University of Southern California's Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.His study, "Quantifying the Insurance Value for Rar…

Today we are bringing you a conversation between 3 experts on paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, vice president of Pharmacy at Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute, spoke with Jamie Koprivnikar, MD, of John Theurer Cancer Center; David Dingli, MD, PhD, of Mayo Clinic; and Brian P. Mulherin, MD, of …

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Sreekanth Chaguturu, MD, the chief medical officer of CVS Health. We discuss the impact of recent pharmaceutical innovations, namely glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and biosimilars, on patient health outcomes. Also, we explore the role of trust between patients and providers…

Kim Zynn, vice president of UPMC Health Plan's provider network and development relations team, shares how physicians can become LGBTQIA+ affirming providers, which is designated within the health plan.Av Managed Care Cast

Douglas Weber, MD, explains how zuranolone has changed the landscape for postpartum depression treatment, addressing a gap in care within the specialty.Av Managed Care Cast

Charlie Borowicz, manager of trans and gender diverse health at Allegheny Health Network, shares how the program offers comprehensive patient-first care to those in the LGBTQ and gender diverse community.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the University of Southern California's Erin Duffy, PhD, MPH, an author of a study published in the June 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®.Her study, "Deductible Double Jeopardy: Patients May Pay More Out of Pocket When Pregnancy Crosses 2 Years" discusses how annual high-de…

In this fifth, and final, special bonus episode of our Pride Month series, we speak with Lauren Albrecht, director of advocacy and organizing, and Layla Orlando, director of health equity and wellness, at Garden State Equality, the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Jersey.Av Managed Care Cast

In our fourth Pride Month podcast episode, we are speaking with Domenico Ruggerio, executive director of We Are Family, in Charleston, South Carolina, the state's oldest nonprofit, which provides life-affirming and life-saving programs for LGBTQ+ youth.Av Managed Care Cast

For June, we are bringing you a limited-edition podcast series to celebrate Pride Month. In our third episode, we speak with Patrick McGovern, CEO of Callen-Lorde since August of 2023 and an outspoken advocate for HIV, LGBTQ+, and community health.Av Managed Care Cast

In this interview, we discuss immigrant health with Kheir Mugwaneza, the lead project manager of the Immigrant and Refugee Health Program at Allegheny Health Network.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dr Paige Nong, the author of a study published in the Health IT bonus issue. Her study, "Equity and AI Governance at Academic Medical Centers," found that academic medical centers show minimal consideration for equity when developing governance for AI technologies; this highlights the need fo…

For June, we are bringing you a limited-edition podcast series to celebrate Pride Month. In our second episode, we speak with Perry Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH, dean and Hunterdon Professor of Public Health & Health Equity at the Rutgers School of Public Health and founder and director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies at…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Kristine Ashcraft, the president and founder of YouScript, a tool that helps to predict adverse drug events and personalize patient care.We discuss the lack of awareness of genetic variants among patients and the recent adoption of biomarker testing legislation in some states. This legislatio…

For June, we are bringing you a limited-edition podcast series to celebrate Pride Month. In this, our first episode, we speak with Tiffany Shirley, president of Lancaster Pride.Av Managed Care Cast

In this episode of Managed Care Cast, Nihar Desai, MD, MPH, cardiologist and vice chief of Cardiology at the Yale School of Medicine, discusses therapies for cardiovascular conditions as they relate to patient adherence, polypharmacy, and health access.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Illinois CancerCare's Pankaj Kumar, MD, and Stephanie Parker, PharmD, 2 authors of a commentary published in the May 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.Their commentary, "Access Denied: CMS’ Action Hurts Patients With Cancer in Rural America," discusses how recent CMS rules re…

In the series debut episode of Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity, Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.Av Managed Care Cast

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Karen Iapoce, senior director of government products and programs at ZeOmega. We discussed CMS's recent Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage final rule and how it affects enrollees and health plans.Av Managed Care Cast

To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the University of Pennsylvania's Ravi Parikh, MD, MPP, and Aaron Schwartz, MD, PhD, 2 authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care®.Their study, "Trends in Low-Value Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic," discusses how rates of low-value can…

To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our third episode and our conversation with Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, program director of quality improvement/Medicare/SNP STARs at UPMC Health Plan…

To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work Program from its very own Dan LaVallee, senior director, Social Impact, UP…

To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.…

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with Dennis Scanlon, PhD, the editor in chief of the American Journal of Accountable Care® and a health policy professor at Penn State University. Topics we are discussing include President Biden's recent prescription drug proposals, prior authorization practices, price transparency, and the poten…