CENTER UPDATE | LATE JULY 2022

In this Issue:

• Presentation: Elimination of Cost-Sharing for Colorectal Cancer Screening Tomorrow, Friday, July 29
• The Latest Legal Challenge to Affordable Care Act Preventive Services
• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care During COVID Pandemic
• V-BID Research Article
• Expanded Pre-Deductible Coverage in HSAs has Little Impact on Premiums
• Women Who Give Birth Face Additional Costs
• No Cost-Sharing for Insulin for UnitedHealth Enrollees
• IVI Foundation Board Appoints Dr. Jason Spangler as Chief Executive Officer

Eliminating Financial Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening: When Free Isn’t Really Free

At noon ET on Friday, July 29, Mark Fendrick, MD, will present University of Michigan Internal Medicine Grand Rounds on the role of research and advocacy to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for the entire colorectal cancer screening process, and how this policy could increase screening rates, enhance health equity, and ultimately save lives. Access the zoom session here.

The Latest Legal Challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s Preventive Services Guarantee

A recent Commonwealth Fund explainer discusses lawsuit Kelley v. Becerra, which argues that the ACA’s preventive services mandate is unconstitutional. If the lawsuit succeeds, millions of Americans will lose access to essential preventive care services, including cancer screenings, immunizations, and contraception care. A literature review conducted by members of the V-BID Center concluded that cost-sharing elimination, such as Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act, leads to increased use of preventive services. Low-socioeconomic groups and those who experience the greatest financial barriers to care appear to benefit the most from cost-sharing elimination.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Researchers have found that that the pandemic is associated with disparities in cancer care among Black and Latinx adults. Compared with white respondents, Black and Latinx adults with cancer experienced more treatment delays and adverse economic and social effects.

Millions Of Women Skipped Cancer Screenings Due to COVID Pandemic, Study Suggests

According to a recent JAMA study, cancer screenings fell 80% in March and April 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including 2 million fewer women receiving breast cancer screenings and an 11% drop in cervical cancer screenings. There were greater decreases among Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Native American women, as well as non high-school graduates.

Value-Based Insurance Design: Clinically Nuanced Consumer Cost-Sharing to Increase the Use of High-Value Medications

A new research article in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law examines the outcomes of V-BID programs, as well as future directions for policy implementation. Researchers found that V-BID programs enhance access to preventive and chronic disease medications for millions of Americans, leading to improved patient-centered outcomes, reduced health care disparities, and lower total medical expenditures.

Expanded Pre-Deductible Coverage in HSAs has Little Impact on Premiums

A summary of a May EBRI issue brief states that expanded pre-deductible coverage for medications and services that prevent the exacerbation of chronic conditions has had minimal impact on premiums. “Our prior EBRI research demonstrated that a majority of employers would expand the list of services covered on a pre-deductible basis if allowed by the IRS. Reflecting this interest, bipartisan, bicameral legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress that would provide additional flexibility to extend pre-deductible coverage to services that manage chronic conditions,” said V-BID Center Director, Mark Fendrick, MD.

Health Costs Associated with Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postpartum Care

A new KHN analysis shows that women who give birth face nearly $19,000 in additional health costs, including $2,854 more out-of-pocket. Approximately one-third of multi-person households and half of single-person households enrolled in private health plans are unable to cover the costs of pregnancy and childbirth.

UnitedHealth CEO Says No Copay For Insulin, Other Critical Drugs From 2023

Fully insured UnitedHealth members will pay zero cost-sharing for several critical medicines beginning in 2023. Covered medications include insulin, epinephrine, and albuterol.

IVI Foundation Board Appoints Dr. Jason Spangler as Chief Executive Officer

This month, the Innovation and Value Initiative announced the appointment of Jason Spangler, MD, MPH, FACPM, as the next Chief Executive Officer. IVI is a non-profit research organization committed to advancing the science, practice, and use of value assessment in health care.

Please Help Support the V-BID Center

As a non-profit entity, the V-BID Center relies on fundraising to support our research, education, and policy efforts. Please help us continue our work by donating here. We truly appreciate your consideration.