The CMS has finalized a Medicare Advantage and Part D rule banning advertisements with no specific plan name and those that use the CMS logo and images of materials such as Medicare cards. The final rule also states that prior authorization approvals should remain effective as long as medically necessary, calls for MA plans to perform an annual review of utilization management policies, finalizes a health equity index reward in the Star Ratings program and expands eligibility for the full low-income subsidy benefit for Part D subscribers, among other policies.

The CMS has proposed a rule that would raise Medicare payment rates for skilled nursing facilities by 3.7%, or around $1.2 billion, for fiscal 2024. The agency also proposed the adoption of several measures in the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program, including a provision requiring reporting of nursing staff turnover starting in the fiscal 2024, with payments affected starting in fiscal 2026, and a health equity adjustment that rewards high-performing facilities whose populations are at least 20% dual-eligibles.

A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that health care professionals including physicians, nurses, other clinical staff and non-clinical support employees reported experiencing burnout in a survey of 42,000 workers conducted from April to December 2020. Many respondents, including 47% of nurses and 37% of physicians, also reported work overload, and experts say the factors that contributed to burnout then persist today, including staffing shortages.

Family physicians are often the first point of care for people suffering from long COVID symptoms, but clinicians face challenges in dealing with it as there are no standard diagnostic procedures or care guidelines, and the range of symptoms is wide. Research suggests that physicians should focus on key organs and systems affected by the condition, the most commonly seen symptoms, therapeutic options for managing those symptoms, and helpful lifestyle choices they can recommend.

An analysis of more than 100 studies covering nearly 5 million people suggests that moderate alcohol consumption has no health benefits and instead significantly increases the risk of premature death. Researchers found an association between consumption of 25 grams of alcohol a day and premature death risk in women, and consumption of 45 grams of alcohol a day and premature death risk in men, according to the study published in JAMA Network Open.

Research using observational data to construct a hypothetical programmatic trial, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found a 39% reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death among people with COVID-19 who started monoclonal antibody treatment within two days of a positive test for the disease. Data showed that monoclonal antibody treatment was particularly effective for people who were immunocompromised regardless of their age.

Research published in The Lancet found Black women who lived in counties with greater access to maternal health services face higher risk of maternal death, preterm birth and low birth weight than white women who lived in more vulnerable counties. The study, which analyzed 13 million live births from 2014 to 2018, also found that Black mothers were more likely to live in counties with higher maternal vulnerability.

The Healthcare in Action team in Los Angeles uses low-cost technology such as GPS trackers and solar cellphone chargers to help people experiencing homelessness access social services and get mental health and physical health care, as well as follow-up care, and the tech allows users to request help. The GPS' location history can show team members useful information to support care, and a local Homeless Management Information System database allows them to see how individual patients access social services and determine needed services.

A study in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that patients with prediabetes and dyslipidemia who took 12 milligrams of astaxanthin every day experienced improvements in cardiovascular disease markers like L-selectin, fibrinogen and fetuin-A, but the results were not statistically significant. Patients who took astaxanthin also had a nonsignificant decrease in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Pfizer disclosed final clinical trial data for its investigational respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, documenting 82% efficacy for prevention of severe infection among infants when administered to mothers during the second half of gestation. A decision on its use is expected from the FDA by August, and authorization would make the vaccine the first available for prevention of RSV in infants by way of maternal administration.

President Joe Biden told the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology that artificial intelligence shows great promise for addressing big problems such as disease and climate change, but AI also poses risks to society, the economy and national security that must be addressed. Biden said technology companies are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and called on Congress to pass legislation limiting collection of personal data, prioritizing health and safety in product development and banning advertising that targets children.

Join us on Tuesday, April 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET for "How Positive Peer Pressure Addresses SBDoH, Improves Outcomes, and Increases Member Retention" as Wider Circle discusses a unique, scalable, community-based intervention program that increases group cohesion, trust, and motivation of hard-to-reach individuals. Learn about broadening the scope of health care to address inequity and "sick care."

AHIP President and CEO Matt Eyles and his podcast co-host Laura Evans were joined by Dr. John Whyte, Chief Medical Officer at WebMD, for a discussion on the challenges facing the health care system, and how to reduce health care disparities and boost health equity. Dr. Whyte also addressed the rise of artificial intelligence and how it can influence personalized health care. Are you listening to the Next Big Thing in Health podcast?

AHIP's Career Center is the expert at finding health care's best and brightest. This powerful recruiting tool offers better targeting than general interest job sites, plus a searchable resume database, seamless activity tracking, and more. Everything you need to collect better resumes faster. See how AHIP can help you connect with the top talents.