The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness released new federal guidance for communities to mitigate the impact of the Omicron variant among individuals experiencing homelessness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), due to increased risk factors this population faces, recommend a 10-day isolation and quarantine – regardless of vaccination status.
FDA Warning on Transmucosal Buprenorphine Issued
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a warning on the use of transmucosal buprenorphine, a drug prescribed to treat opioid use disorder and pain. They warn that it may cause dental problems.
Price of Prescription Drugs Rises
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported on January 25, 2022, that the average net price of brand-name prescription drugs in Medicaid increased 48.3% between 2009 and 2018. Overall average net prescription prices in Medicaid, including brand and generic drugs, declined from $63 to $48.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Treatment
A new CDC report documents lower use of monoclonal antibody treatment among certain racial and ethnic minority patients with positive COVID-19 results, relative to white and non-Hispanic patients. Racial and ethnic differences were smaller for inpatient administration of remdesivir and dexamethasone.
HRSA Launches Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) launched a new initiative on January 17, 2022, with an initial group of 100-200 health centers nationwide invited to participate, with the expectation that it will grow incrementally. Program Information is available on HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program | Bureau of Primary Health Care. Like the home COVID-19 testing kit initiative, FQHCs will be able to distribute N95 masks provided through the program to community partners, patients and the communities they serve.
HealthChoices 2022 Transition
During this week’s Medical Assistance Advisory Committee meetings, the PA Department of Human Services announced its goal of fully transitioning to the new HealthChoices contracts and managed care organization (MCO) assignments on July 1, 2022. The DHS Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP) is developing a Communications Workgroup to assist in development of communications to consumers and providers about the transition. The workgroup will be compiled of representatives of MCOs, Maximus, consumers and providers. DHS said that those MCOs transitioning have committed to ensuring a smooth transition. OMAP is also developing a timeline graphic with key milestones, which will be coming out soon. Materials to support the transition will be on the Maximus website in mid-April. Mailings to consumers will be released late April, with a deadline of mid- to late-May to make their MCO selection. DHS anticipates 450,000 consumers will have a new MCO selection or assignment.
COVID-19 Updates and Advisories
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued the following updates and advisories in correlation to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic:
622 – 1/25/22 – UPDATE: Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19
- 621 – 1/25/22 – UPDATE: Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Exposure to COVID-19
- 620 – 1/15/22 – ADV – Advisory: Therapeutics to Prevent and Treat COVID-19
Click here to access all the 2022 health alerts, advisories and updates.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fees Regulated
On December 14, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) unexpectedly issued a letter to U.S. Senator Ron Widen (D-OR) indicating that CMS plans to use its “administrative authority to issue proposed rulemaking” addressing price concessions and direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have increasingly charged to specialty and retail pharmacy providers in Medicare and other pharmacy benefit programs in recent years. The proposed regulation was issued on January 12.
Water Assistance Program Applications Available
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary emergency program to help low-income families pay overdue water bills. LIHWAP is a grant. Recipients do not have to repay it. LIHWAP crisis grants may be available if an individual and/or household has an emergency and are in jeopardy of losing their water service. Eligible recipients can receive one crisis grant for their drinking water service and one crisis grant for their wastewater service, up to $2,500 each. Click here for more information about the program or how to apply.
Preventive Care Guidelines Mean Improved Coverage
The U.S. Department of Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has updated comprehensive preventive care and screening guidelines for women and for infants, children and adolescents. Under the Affordable Care Act, certain group health plans and insurance issuers must provide coverage with no out-of-pocket cost for preventive health services within these HRSA-supported comprehensive guidelines. Among a number of updates, for the first time the guidelines will require such group health plans and insurance plans to provide coverage without a co-pay or deductible for double electric breast pumps. Read more.