SNAP benefits may help improve adherence to antihypertensive medications
A study published in jama network open Suggest that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance may improve medication adherence among food-insecure patients with hypertension. While SNAP benefits were not associated with overall medication adherence, they significantly reduced nonadherence rates among food-insecure individuals. The findings highlight the potential of SNAP in addressing medication adherence challenges in this population, emphasizing the need for policy interventions and physician involvement in connecting patients to social assistance programs.
Patients on Medicare Advantage receive less, less intensive home health care
A study published in JAMA Health Forum Examined differences in patient outcomes between Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare (TM) when using home health care services, revealing notable variations even among patients with similar health care needs. Analyzing data from a national health care network, the study found that patients in MA experienced shorter stays at home, fewer visits to health care providers, and lower rates of improvement in self-care compared to TM. Despite limitations in the study, including lack of accounting for differences in MA plans and incomplete evaluation, the findings suggest potential implications for patient independence and caregiver burden within the MA system.
Addressing patients’ unmet social needs: The checklist is a tool, trust is fundamental.
An editorial published in the March 2024 issue of American Journal of Managed Care ,AJMC) underscores the urgent need to address systemic health care inequities highlighted by recent events. This month’s issue also includes an analysis of collaborative models between managed care and affordable housing and explores a new federal rule increasing Medicare payments for homeless patients. Despite the inclusion of social determinants of health (SDOH) questions in clinical workflows, it is recognized that addressing health disparities requires more than just a checklist. Building trust between physicians and patients, enhancing patient-centered care, and adopting human-centered design principles are important steps.
Evaluating a collaborative model between managed care and affordable housing on acute care costs.
The study was published in the March issue AJMC Evaluates a collaborative service model between Superior HealthPlan, the largest Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) in Texas, and Prospera Housing Community Services, an affordable housing provider. Comparing health care outcomes and costs between participants in the collaborative model and a control group, the study showed that the collaborative group had significantly lower rates of emergency department/urgent care visits and less spending on prescription costs after implementation. it was done. These results underscore the potential benefits of multisector collaboration between MCOs and community providers in improving health care outcomes and reducing costs, particularly for underserved populations.
ACCC AMCCBS 2024: On Location Interview, Day 2
Managing workforce burnout and promoting health equity in health care was discussed the second day at the Association of Cancer Care Centers’ 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit in Washington, DC. Katherine Meese, PhD, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, discussed strategies for maintaining a thriving workforce, while Nadine Barrett, PhD, MS, MPH, from Wake Forest University highlighted the topic of health equity and shared insights from her research . The day included a leadership speech by Meese, a panel on the benefits of 4R care sequences, and an award honoring Robert A. Winn, MD, and Christa Braun-Inglis, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP, for their contributions to Ceremony was included. For clinical research and community clinical science respectively.