medicare Archives
Study finds Medicare Part D favors generic drugs over brand-name counterparts
Aug. 6, 2020—Contrary to previous media reports, a new study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers finds that Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance plans largely favor generic drugs over brand-name counterparts.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients on Medicare seeing increased out-of-pocket costs for specialty medications
May. 7, 2020—After a sharp drop in out-of-pocket costs between 2010 and 2011, Medicare patients who use specialty biologic medications for rheumatoid arthritis have seen higher out-of-pocket spending for those same drugs because of gradual price increases, a new study finds.
Effort ensures eligible Medicare patients receive their annual wellness visit
Jan. 29, 2020—When it was determined that a majority of the 19,000 individuals eligible to receive a no-cost annual wellness visit as part of their Medicare coverage had not yet scheduled one, a large task force was assembled at VUMC to contact these patients and schedule their visits
Lecture explores Medicare for All’s potential impacts
Nov. 21, 2019—The concept of a single-payer, government-run health care program — Medicare for All — has sparked national debate, and that proposal was the focus of a spirited discussion on Nov. 19 at the Research into Policy and Practice Lecture sponsored by the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Study finds cardiac rehab underused among Medicare patients
Nov. 21, 2019—Cardiac valve surgery patients who participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program have a 34% lower risk of hospitalizations and a 4.2% lower risk of mortality than patients who do not enroll in cardiac rehab in the year after surgery.
Study shows some generics can cost Medicare recipients more than brand-name drugs
Jul. 1, 2019—Medicare Part D enrollees may pay more out of pocket for high-priced specialty generic drugs than their brand-name counterparts, according to new research by health policy experts at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Vanderbilt study explores how dual-eligible beneficiaries spend
Aug. 16, 2018—While there has been much effort to control spending for individuals eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare in the United States, for the first time a team of Vanderbilt health policy researchers have analyzed spending trends for this population over a multiyear period in order to gain a much clearer understanding of exactly how much is being spent and by whom.
Social risk factors influence outcomes, Medicare payment
Feb. 8, 2017—Social risk factors including income, education and ethnic background influence health outcomes and should be taken into account in Medicare payment models, according to a New England Journal of Medicine “Perspective” titled “Social Risk Factors and Equity in Medicare Payment.”
Program aims to reduce Medicare readmission rates
Feb. 6, 2014—A program launched by Schnelle in January 2013 aims to reduce readmissions for Medicare patients transferred from Vanderbilt University Hospital to any of 23 area skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs. The specific goal is 17 percent reduction, by 2015, in 30-day hospital readmissions directly from these SNFs.
Zeppos: Faculty discussions happening now will set university’s course
Aug. 22, 2013—Chancellor Zeppos addressed faculty and presented annual awards at the Fall Faculty Assembly.
FAQs: VUMC and economic repositioning
Mar. 14, 2013—The following are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the financial pressures created by the federal budget sequester and other legislation now facing Vanderbilt University Medical Center and academic health centers across the country.
VUMC testing new payment system for Medicare patients
Mar. 14, 2013—Over the next three years, Medicare will test a new payment arrangement that rewards participating hospitals when Medicare patients require fewer inpatient and post-discharge services, but extracts financial penalties when patients require more of these services.
