ZorroCard Round Up (9/30/24)

Hey all,

I hope you all had a great weekend. In today’s round up I was especially interested to find that Medicare already spent $5.6 billion on Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) in 2022. Medicare doesn’t allow payment for weight loss drugs, so most of those prescriptions were to treat diabetes. Just another example of the impending budget disaster our nation’s health is facing without reform.

Enjoy!

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroCard)

Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Forecast for 2025): Researchers have projected the top 15 Medicare Part D single-source drugs likely to be selected for CMS price negotiation by 2025, identifying 13 products with over $1 billion in annual spending, including cancer and diabetes therapies. The analysis excluded 22 high-spending drugs due to criteria like generic availability and market age. Full Article.

The Washington Post (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Awareness): The Washington Post explores the often misunderstood condition known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which causes severe emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation. The article discusses the impact of PMDD on women’s lives, the challenges in diagnosing the condition, and the need for greater awareness and treatment options. Full Article.

McKinsey (Implications of Current Trends on Medicare Advantage Stakeholders): McKinsey’s blog explores how recent trends in Medicare Advantage are influencing stakeholders, focusing on the pressures of regulatory changes, evolving payment models, and the growing importance of technology and consumer engagement. Many Medicare Advantage plans are facing a choice between cutting benefits or exiting markets to remain profitable. Full Article.