COVID-19 Intel Center
As our healthcare industry works together to make near- and long-term decisions about COVID-19, our public health, vaccine, and policy experts are here to help decipher the facts and navigate downstream implications for the healthcare system.
Featured Content
CMS Takes Steps to Expand Access to COVID-19 Antibody Treatment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released coding and payment instructions associated with the first physician-administered outpatient COVID-19 therapeutic. The release specifies that during the public health emergency (PHE), Medicare will cover and pay for these infusions in the same way it does for COVID-19 vaccines.
Payer Experiences with COVID-19
New Avalere research featuring payer views of COVID-19 finds a heightened concern about the clinical effectiveness of related future vaccines and therapeutics, a substantial reduction in preventive services due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, and a significant uptick in telehealth adoption.
Podcast: Designing Pull Funding for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Tune into another episode of Avalere’s Journal Club Review podcast series on Avalere Health Essential Voice. In this segment, our health policy experts discuss a recent study in which a simulation was used to determine whether pull funding could overcome issues related to speed, scaling, and pricing for a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Distribution Stakeholder Considerations
The convergence of the seasonal influenza and the current COVID-19 vaccines will merge several distribution considerations for a diverse group of stakeholders.
COVID-19 Impacts on Cancer Care
Avalere research was published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Clinical Cancer Informatics, showing a considerable drop in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment for Medicare beneficiaries as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
MA Enrollees Can Access COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits in 2021
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans continue expanding coverage of supplemental benefits, including services related to the pandemic.
Expanding Patient Access to Digital Mental Health Services & Products
The COVID-19 pandemic is driving greater demand for digital mental health products and services. Stronger scientific evidence is necessary to determine value and increase payer reimbursement.
The COVID-19 Impact on US Routine and Seasonal Vaccine Administrations
Avalere conducted a national survey of more than 200 independent primary care providers concerning the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their ability to support continued vaccination programs for patients. Over 90% of respondents indicated the COVID-19 pandemic has increased operating costs and led to revenue loss. Eighty-two percent indicated that an increase in vaccine administration fees would aid sites in overcoming barriers arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and 75% expressed interest in implementing new care delivery arrangements to facilitate immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospital Discharges to Home Health Rebounding, But SNF Volumes Lag
New Avalere Health analysis of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims data reveals large decreases in skilled nursing facility (SNF) and home health care use following the widespread decline in inpatient hospitalizations amid the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Avalere’s analysis further suggests that as inpatient procedures resume in some areas, the volume of inpatient hospital discharges to home health is starting to rebound, whereas the volume of discharges to SNF remains below 2019 levels.
COVID-19 Provider Relief Funding and Future Allocation Considerations
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriated $100 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund—known as the Provider Relief Fund (PRF)—and subsequent legislation appropriated an additional $75 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
Anticipated Impact of COVID-19 Treatments on State Medicaid Budgets
Compared to other drivers of state budget pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic—including higher Medicaid program enrollment due to increased unemployment and lower state tax revenues as a result of economic shutdowns—the relative financial impact of COVID-19 therapeutics on state Medicaid budgets will likely be minimal.
Using Diagnostics to Mitigate the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Mitigating the public health emergency (PHE) caused by SARS-CoV-2 requires a multifaceted approach.
Podcast: Community Use of Face Masks and COVID-19: Evidence from a Natural Experiment of State Mandates in the US
Tune into another episode of Avalere’s Journal Club Review podcast series on Avalere Health Essential Voice. In this segment, our health policy experts discuss a recent study on the effectiveness of statewide mask mandates in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and the implications of its findings on future policy interventions.
COVID-19 Projected to Worsen Racial Disparities in Health Coverage
Avalere analysis finds that at least 5 million Black and Hispanic people may lose their health insurance as a result of the pandemic.
Who Will Approve a COVID Vaccine in the US?
As life sciences companies sprint toward COVID-19 vaccines and therapies, the discussion below considers who has the authority to make the call on their availability at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
COVID-19 Guide for Patients and Providers
As our healthcare industry rapidly evolves to address the COVID-19 pandemic, keep track of new resources and policies affecting patients and providers with the COVID-19 guide below.
Bringing COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics to Market
On July 22, Avalere experts discussed the marketplace for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in the “Cutting Through the Noise: Market Evolution and Pathways to Access for COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics” webinar. They examined FDA regulatory considerations, coverage and access challenges, and key pricing and distribution scenarios for optimal US market access.
8 Return-to-Work Considerations for Employers Amid COVID-19
As businesses across the country begin to reopen, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic will continually require employers to be resilient, flexible, innovative, and forward looking when it comes to returning employees safely to work sites. Among the myriad of concerns and considerations, organizational leadership will need tools that assist decision making and ensure compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
Access to Medicare Part B Drugs Remains Challenging During COVID-19
Avalere continues to find a significant drop in utilization of key physician-administered therapies in 2020 relative to 2019.
Podcast: E10, Part 3 – Get the Facts on COVID-19: Impacts on Provider Performance-Based Payment Incentives
Tune into part 3 of our tenth episode of Avalere Health Essential Voice podcast series. In this segment, Avalere experts from the Center for Healthcare Transformation will discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on provider performance-based incentive programs.