News Briefs
✦ HHS and the Dept. of Defense reached a deal with CVS Health Corp. and Walgreen Co. to provide and administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) nationwide, with no out-of-pocket costs for patients, once they become available. The goal of the partnership is to “minimize the burden” on LTCF sites and jurisdictional health departments regarding vaccine handling, administration and fulfilling reporting requirements, HHS said in an Oct. 16 press release. In its own press release, CVS said it “has the experience and expertise to play a vital role in the COVID-19 vaccination effort,” noting that it’s now administered more than 5 million COVID-19 tests since the start of the pandemic. Read more at https://bit.ly/3jhCsTS.
✦ Highmark Inc. says it has been able to improve safety and reduce costs for patients with diabetes through “an innovative process that identifies opportunities to discontinue clinically ineffective prescriptions and flags dangerous medication combinations.” The Pittsburgh-based insurer touted its model, which “combines medical and pharmacy data and partners with primary care physicians to improve diabetes medication management,” at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2020 Virtual Conference on Oct. 19. The program is available to practices that participate in Highmark’s True Performance value-based reimbursement initiative. Read more about Highmark’s diabetes program at https://bit.ly/2FRiim8.
