Medicare

A new study led by Professor Jeah Jung found that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans do not equally improve the quality of care across all racial and ethnic groups. The study compared gaps in the quality of care received by non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian enrollees versus non-Hispanic White enrollees in MA and traditional Medicare. 

Why doesn’t Medicare cover drugs like Ozempic for weight loss?

Medicare Advantage generally had lower resource use (and thereby cost), but by varying amounts across conditions, including in some cases where it was not significantly different than traditional Medicare, according to a new study by Professor Jeah Jung.

Telehealth as a channel for delivering care has boomed in the past few years in response to the growing need for more flexible opioid treatment options and limitations to in-person care during the COVID-19 pandemic. But for states, payers, and providers to deliver on the long-term promise of telehealth, areas such as funding, infrastructure, policy, access points, and coverage must also evolve.

Policy changes strengthen state’s capacity to fight substance use and improve outcomes including increases in number of behavioral health and substance use providers and patients treated.