Lots happened this week – here’s the big stuff.
COVID’s impact on work comp
WCRI is hosting a free webinar on the delivery of medical care and RTW during the pandemic. Hosted by WCRI CEO John Ruser PhD and Randy Lea MD, the webinar will also include Mark Herbert MD, an infectious disease specialist.
Sign up here for the September 24 event, it kicks off at 2 pm eastern.
Drug prices
No, payers’ drug costs are not dramatically higher. In fact, net costs after rebates and other payments are flat to lower. That’s one of the key findings from Adam Fein PhD’s analysis of the top PBM’s results. Kudos to Express Scripts, CVS, and Prime Therapeutics for publishing true cost data; one only wishes all PBMs did the same.
Ever wonder where all those new drugs come from?
Well, pat yourself on the back – because you, dear taxpayer, funded most of the initial R&D behind new drug development. Here’s the takeaway:
every new drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the decade from 2010-2019 was associated with basic science funded by the NIH.
The IAIABC’s annual meeting kicks off next week; registration is still open here. Lots will be covered, including a discussion of COVID claims, presumption, fee schedule improvements, and of course EDI.
David Dubrof is PBM myMatrixx’ new Chief Sales Officer. I’ve known David for 20+ years; he is one of the very few “A” players in work comp services sales and a consummate professional. (myMatrixx is an HSA consulting client). David is all in on myMatrixx’ industry-leading push for price transparency.
How’s that budget process going?
Imagine trying to set up a curriculum for an unknown number of students with an unknown level of education. Or meal planning for an unknown group with different dietary requirements that are also unknown.
Well, that’s budgeting 2021. Never has that been so…fraught/uninformed/scary/pointless as it is today. If you need a break from trying desperately to figure out how to justify/rationalize your 2021 forecast and budget, read this. It’s an excellent discussion of budgeting in a time of huge uncertainty.
Family is coming in this weekend to celebrate our new granddaughter’s arrival – have to say this is much-needed these days; the nastiness and bad news is getting to be a bit much.
Hope your weekend is filled with joy.
Good article on budgeting. I think this applies whether we are in a pandemic or not. One thing any business owner or manager (anyone who breaths really) ought to understand, is that virtually nothing is certain and to think otherwise is folly. Congrats on your new granddaughter and a joyous weekend to you and yours as well.
Thanks much Fred. Best to you and yours!