About Covid-19
Global COVID-19 cases surpass 200 mln as Delta variant spreads: “Coronavirus cases worldwide surpassed 200 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the more-infectious Delta variant threatens areas with low vaccination rates and strains healthcare systems.
The global surge in cases is highlighting the widening gap in inoculation rates between wealthy and poor nations. Cases are rising in about one-third of the world's countries, many of which have not even given half their population a first dose.”
Subcutaneous REGEN-COV Antibody Combination to Prevent Covid-19: “Subcutaneous REGEN-COV prevented symptomatic Covid-19 and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously uninfected household contacts of infected persons. Among the participants who became infected, REGEN-COV reduced the duration of symptomatic disease and the duration of a high viral load.”
Therapeutic Anticoagulation with Heparin in Noncritically Ill Patients with Covid-19: “In noncritically ill patients with Covid-19, an initial strategy of therapeutic-dose anticoagulation with heparin increased the probability of survival to hospital discharge with reduced use of cardiovascular or respiratory organ support as compared with usual-care thromboprophylaxis.”
CDC: Delta variant accounts for 93 percent of all infections: “For the two-week period ending July 31, all the different lineages of the delta variant made up about 93 percent of cases that were sequenced.
In some parts of the country with low vaccination rates, especially the Midwest, the percentages are even higher.”
Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is 93% effective after 6 months, weaker against delta: “The new trial data was released just before an Aug. 5 earnings call. In the slides prepared for the call, Moderna said booster shots will most likely become necessary before winter to combat the rapid spread of the delta variant, which became widespread in the U.S. after the trial results were recorded.”
U.S. COVID-19 cases hit six-month high, Florida grapples with surge: “The United States hit a six-month high for new COVID cases with over 100,000 infections reported on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the Delta variant ravages areas where people did not get vaccinated.
The country is reporting over 94,819 cases on a seven-day average, a five-fold increase in less than a month, Reuters data through Wednesday showed. The seven-day average provides the most accurate picture of how fast cases are rising since some states only report infections once a week or only on weekdays.”
About health insurance
Biden Stimulus Increase Cut Obamacare Plan Premiums by 40%: “Average premiums for returning customers in the 36 states using the federal marketplace dropped from $104 a month to $62 a month, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan expanded the number of people eligible for subsidies for ACA marketplace coverage. It also bolstered the tax credits for those already purchasing coverage to make the plans more affordable.
For the first time it extended subsidies to people making more than 400% of the federal poverty level -- $106,000 for a family of four -- a group that had faced steep costs for insurance coverage. Their costs are now capped at 8.5% of income.
The expanded premium assistance is set to expire after 2022, but Democrats are seeking to extend it. The provision is projected to cost $34 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office.”
The problem is not always premiums but the rapidly rising out-of-pocket expenses.
OIG audit targets Aetna's Medicare Advantage plans as government cracks down on fraud: “Federal regulators are auditing Medicare Advantage plans sold by CVS Health's payer arm Aetna as the government continues to crack down on inaccurate or fraudulent risk-adjustment scores in the program.
In a financial filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, CVS disclosed HHS' Office of the Inspector General was looking at its MA business, amid a slew of recent whistleblower lawsuits and audits finding improper practices in the program.”
Cigna anticipates elevated claims costs for rest of 2021, execs say: “Cigna is bracing for elevated claims costs through the remainder of 2021, executives told investors Thursday morning.
Brian Evanko, Cigna's chief financial officer, said on the company's earnings call that costs associated with COVID-19 were higher than anticipated, and non-COVID utilization grew at a more rapid clip than was expected.”
Morgan Health Makes $50 Million Investment in Vera Whole Health: “Morgan Health, the JPMorgan Chase & Co. business focused on improving the quality, cost, and equity of employee healthcare, is investing in an innovative healthcare company that offers patients coordinated care and an enhanced primary care experience. Morgan Health announced today a $50 million investment in Vera Whole Health, its first investment in a coordinated care model.”
About hospitals and health systems
Public Payment Rates For Hospitals And The Potential For Consolidation-Induced Cost Shifting: “After controlling for many confounders, we found that hospitals with a higher share of Medicare patients had lower and more rapidly declining profits and an increased likelihood of closure or acquisition compared with hospitals that were less reliant on Medicare. This is consistent with the existence of consolidation-induced cost shifting and implies that reductions in public prices must be undertaken cautiously.”
About the public’s health
NRC Health 2021 Mid-Year Healthcare Consumer Trends Report: A few highlights:
”The good news is that the rate at which consumers are resuming services has risen by 5% from Q3 2020 to the first half of 2021. Not only is delayed healthcare decreasing…, many service lines and specialties are returning to normal levels, and… telemedicine and urgent-care visits are remaining the same. What’s interesting to note is that months before the pandemic, deferment rates were approaching a five-year low.
3 out of 4 consumers would choose a provider who shares prices over one who doesn't.
Moderna Gains Fast-Track Designation for mRNA-Based RSV Vaccine: “The FDA has granted Moderna Fast-Track designation for mRNA-1345, its investigational single-dose mRNA vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults older than age 60.
Moderna’s RSV vaccine candidate uses the same lipid nanoparticle as the company’s authorized COVID-19 vaccine and contains optimized protein and nucleotide sequences.”
About healthcare IT
25 hospitals completing the most telehealth visits during the pandemic + what they charge: “Among all the hospitals offering telehealth, hospital outpatient clinic visits (CPT G0463) occurred the most, accounting for more than 47 percent of total telehealth claims.”
Interesting variation on charges across the country.
Note the CPT code is a temporary (G) code.
About pharma
Review of the FDA's Accelerated Approval Pathway: Form the HHS Office of the OIG: “The FDA's approval of Aduhelm raised concerns due to alleged scientific disputes within the FDA, the advisory committee's vote against approval, allegations of an inappropriately close relationship between the FDA and the industry, and the FDA's use of the accelerated approval pathway. In response to these concerns, we will assess how the FDA implements the accelerated approval pathway.”
The report is expected in 2023.
Bayer bets $1.5B that Vividion will help it target the 'undruggable' and make 1+1=3: Instead of a public offering, Vividion is partnering with Bayer and will retain R&D independence.