Meet
Biruk Bekele

Biruk Bekele supports clients in market access, product commercialization, and reimbursement strategy.

With a particular interest in data analytics, value-based payment models, and physician-administered therapies, he applies his experience to help clients maximize product access and improve healthcare delivery.

Prior to joining Avalere, Biruk was a data analyst at the Wharton Public Policy Initiative, where he investigated medical supply transactions to simulate hospital negotiations and determine the impact of price transparency on cost savings. Additionally, he has worked with various start-ups focusing on expanding an educational platform for pre-medical students, evaluating the value of video telemedicine for nurse case managers and investigating high-priority markets for smartphone diagnostics platform Biomeme.

Biruk has a BA in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and minored in biology.

Authored Content

March 30, 2021 | Insights & Analysis > Alternative Payment Models

OCM, OCF, and the Future of Cancer Care: 5 Things to Look Out For
As the Oncology Care Model (OCM) approaches its conclusion, stakeholders are anxiously awaiting the details of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation's (CMMI’s) next oncology episodic payment model, Oncology Care First (OCF).
March 22, 2021 | Insights & Analysis > Value-Based Care

Assessing the Reach of Oncology Clinical Pathways
Avalere analysis finds that approximately 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) or renal cell carcinoma (RCC) see a physician that has access to McKesson Value Pathways or Elsevier ClinicalPath vendor clinical pathways programs
March 11, 2021 | Press Releases > State Policy

Medicaid Networks More Than 60% Narrower Than Commercial in Some Areas
At a time when more Americans—particularly people of color—are enrolled in Medicaid, new Avalere analysis finds that provider networks for primary care and certain specialties in Medicaid are narrower on average than those of commercial plans in certain metropolitan areas, ranging from 63% smaller in Miami to 18% in New York.
February 25, 2021 | Insights & Analysis > Value-Based Care

Incorporating Clinical Factors Could Improve OCM Cost Prediction
An Avalere analysis found that among high-risk breast cancer episodes, those in later stages of the disease had higher episode expenditures relative to their benchmarks compared to those in earlier stages.
October 22, 2020 | Insights & Analysis > Alternative Payment Models

Comparing Part B and D Treatment Patterns of ACO and Non-ACO Providers
New analysis from Avalere finds that Medicare beneficiaries are more likely to receive Part D autoimmune drugs and less likely to receive Part B autoimmune drugs from providers who are part of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) compared to non-ACO providers.
June 2, 2020 | Insights & Analysis > Value-Based Care

Emerging Trends in Oncology Management
As treatment advancements in oncology continue, stakeholders are modifying their approaches to defining value and managing care
May 29, 2020 | Podcasts > Value-Based Care

Podcast: E1 – Start Your Day with Avalere: Defining Value in Oncology
In the first episode, Sam Ferguson and Biruk Bekele, consultants in Avalere’s Market Access practice, along with Milena Sullivan, a principal in Avalere’s Policy practice, will discuss how stakeholders are defining value in oncology.
April 16, 2020 | Insights & Analysis > COVID-19 Intel Center

COVID-19 Complicates Access to Provider-Administered Autoimmune Treatments
The large-scale disruptions resulting from COVID-19 are significantly reshaping how patients receive care. In particular, patients taking infused and injectable drugs administered by a healthcare professional at a physician office, infusion center, or hospital outpatient department now face greater challenges receiving their medications.
September 9, 2019 | Podcasts > Drug Pricing

Podcast: E1 - Avalere Insights on Recent CMS Proposed Payment Rules: OPPS
Tune in to hear the first episode in our 3-part series that focuses on CMS’s most recent proposed payment rules. In episode 1, we’ll be focusing on the outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule, more informally known as the OPPS.
May 21, 2019 | Press Releases > Value-Based Care

More than Half of All OCM Providers Could Owe CMS Money if Required to Join in 2-Sided Risk Model
Pressure to lower costs will increase for OCM providers as CMS pushes to 2-sided risk.
April 29, 2019 | Insights & Analysis > Value-Based Care

Enhancing Manufacturer Partnerships in an Evolving Specialty Landscape
Recent developments in the specialty pharmaceutical marketplace merit distinct attention from manufacturers.
January 18, 2018 | Press Releases > Value-Based Care

Medicare Financial Incentives Encourage Providers to Take on Greater Financial Risk
While clinicians have been hesitant to assume risk, bonus payments would result in 9 out of 10 ACOs and their participants achieving a net positive financial impact.
July 19, 2017 | Press Releases > Value-Based Care

New Medicare Incentives Encourage Accountable Care Organizations To Assume Greater Risk
Avalere simulation finds that more ACOs will be eligible for earnings if they take on two-sided risk.
May 23, 2016 | Podcasts > Alternative Payment Models

Podcast: ACO Prioritization
Listen in as Avalere's Biruk Bekele talks about a new model Avalere has developed to help life sciences companies more effectively target ACOs and customize their value propositions in the diabetes space based on ACO performance. The number of ACOs has grown rapidly in the past few years, reflecting the Department of Health and Human Services’ push to move 50% of Medicare spending to value-based payment models by 2018.