In This Week’s Issue:
1. PIPC Responds To MedPAC Consideration of ‘LCA Policy’ in Medicare Part D, click here to view the letter.
2. PIPC Submits Comments to CMS on Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives, click here to view the letter.
3. Inside Health Policy References PIPC Roundtable on Hepatitis C in Discussion of PCORI Workgroup, click here to view the article (subscription only).
4. Event: Alliance for Aging Research Discussion on “The New Age of Aging”, click here for details.
5. JAMA: The PCORI Perspective on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, click here to view (subscription only).
6. Oncology Blog: ‘Turning the Tide' Working Group Issues Recommendations on Patient-Centered, Value-Based Cancer Care, click here to view the blog and recommendations.
7. Blog: Going PRO – Clinical Trials must Plan to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes, click here to view the blog.
8. PCORI Blogs: Generating Knowledge from Healthcare Practice; Guiding Research to Improve Healthcare, click here and here.
1. PIPC Responds To MedPAC Consideration of ‘LCA Policy’ in Medicare Part D, click here to view the letter.
2. PIPC Submits Comments to CMS on Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives, click here to view the letter.
3. Inside Health Policy References PIPC Roundtable on Hepatitis C in Discussion of PCORI Workgroup, click here to view the article (subscription only).
4. Event: Alliance for Aging Research Discussion on “The New Age of Aging”, click here for details.
5. JAMA: The PCORI Perspective on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, click here to view (subscription only).
6. Oncology Blog: ‘Turning the Tide' Working Group Issues Recommendations on Patient-Centered, Value-Based Cancer Care, click here to view the blog and recommendations.
7. Blog: Going PRO – Clinical Trials must Plan to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes, click here to view the blog.
8. PCORI Blogs: Generating Knowledge from Healthcare Practice; Guiding Research to Improve Healthcare, click here and here.
1. PIPC Responds To MedPAC Consideration of ‘LCA Policy’ in Medicare Part D
Recently, PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho sent a letter to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) in response to a recent session. In September's public meeting, the Commission discussed developing payment policy based on the use of clinical evidence, with specific focus on reinstating the least costly alternative (LCA) policy to Medicare Part B drugs and biologicals. “PIPC is deeply concerned with the Commission’s support for this proposal, which would allow for cost-based determinations of patient treatment options,” Chairman Coelho writes.” PIPC fought hard for patient protections in the Affordable Care Act that ensure CMS does not misuse clinical CER to impose ‘one-size-fits-all’ coverage or payment policies. LCA would undercut these protections and prevent doctors and patients from making informed decisions about the treatment option that is best for the individual patient. Therefore, we urge MedPAC not to move forward in recommending new LCA authority for CMS.” The letter cites PIPC’s recent White Paper, highlighting opportunities and issues to address in translating principles of patient-centeredness into value-based payment. Click here to view the letter.
2. PIPC Submits Comments to CMS on Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives
Recently, PIPC submitted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on how the agency can improve engagement of beneficiaries in health care to generate better care and better health at lower costs. The letter cites PIPC’s recent White Paper, which includes suggestions to promote the infrastructure for meaningful beneficiary engagement throughout the health care system and providing: (a) a voice for patients, (b) choice to patients, and (c) value for patients. Further, the comment letter enumerates targeted steps to address how patient engagement could be applied. Among the recommendations advanced in the letter: (1) CMMI should create a national advisory panel on patient-centeredness to give patients a voice in emerging alternative payment models (APMs); (2) CMMI should prioritize APMs that make patient engagement and informed treatment decision-making accessible; (3) and CMMI should improve upon and promote patient-centered models, such as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs). Click here to view the letter.
3. Inside Health Policy References PIPC Roundtable on Hepatitis C in Discussion of PCORI Workgroup
A recent article from Inside Health Policy highlights PIPC’s recommendations to PCORI on hepatitis C research that focuses on screening. “PCORI [met on] Friday to gather public input on whether comparative effectiveness research could inform hepatitis C treatment. Some of the research questions that PCORI will likely be asked to fund target reimbursement restrictions that states have put in place on Gilead Science's hepatitis C drugs, and a PCORI official says the institute does not intend to compare breakthrough hepatitis C drugs to older, less effective treatments… The Partnership to Improve Patient Care recently put together recommendations for PCORI research on hepatitis C that focus on screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended screening for hepatitis C in persons at high risk of infection, such as intravenous drug users and people born between 1945 and 1965. The PIPC recommendations focus on researching how to put that recommendation into practice.” Click here to view the article.
4. Event: Alliance for Aging Research Discussion on “The New Age of Aging”
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Dean Linda Fried and Alliance for Aging Research Founder Dan Perry will share perspectives on the new frontier of an aging population in a conversation on October 22 at 4 p.m. at Columbia University in New York City. Moderated by documentary filmmaker Perri Peltz, they will dive into research on the effects of aging on societies, how aging is perceived today, and the future of aging. It will also be available to watch online via Livestream. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ColumbiaAging. This event is sponsored by the MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award, of which Dr. Fried was a 2012 recipient. Click here for details.
5. JAMA: The PCORI Perspective on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
A new viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) from PCORI leaders including Executive Director Joe Selby discusses the meaning of patient-centeredness in research and reasons for conducting patient-centered outcomes research. In this Viewpoint, the authors address 2 related questions: What does patient-centeredness in research mean? And why conduct patient-centered outcomes research? Click here to view (subscription only).
6. Oncology Blog: ‘Turning the Tide' Working Group Issues Recommendations on Patient-Centered, Value-Based Cancer Care
According to a blog in the Oncology Times, a multidisciplinary working group released a comprehensive issue brief at the recent ‘Turning the Tide Against Cancer’ conference intended to improve the value of cancer care and ensure that it is always patient-centered. The document, titled “A Pathway for Change: Supporting the Shift to Patient-Centered Cancer Research and Care and Addressing Value and Cost of Cancer Care,” makes 13 specific recommendations. Among their recommendations, “The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) should continue to support research to evaluate and identify innovative, effective methods for the use of decision support tools to communicate to patients and caregivers risks and benefits and uncertainty of evidence.” Click here to view the blog and recommendations.
7. Blog: Going PRO – Clinical Trials must Plan to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes
According to a new blog on PLOS One, “patient-reported outcomes are now getting the focused attention they deserve. In the United States the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute was set up in 2010 to conduct ‘research that answers patients' questions,’ spending nearly $700 million USD on 360 projects...However, PROs must be collected rigorously from the beginning to minimize loss of research information.” Click here to view the blog.
8. PCORI Blogs: Generating Knowledge from Healthcare Practice; Guiding Research to Improve Healthcare
In a post last week on The PCORI Blog, Sarah Greene, Associate Director of PCORI’s CER Methods and Infrastructure program, wrote: “Earlier this year, PCORI sponsored two workshops, held by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that focused on research strategies for generating practical evidence from information routinely collected during clinical practice...The workshops highlighted areas of opportunity for generating knowledge from healthcare practice. One is the sustainability of patient partnerships...Another opportunity is more effective implementation of research findings, both within and beyond an individual system.” Click here to view the blog.
In a guest post last week on The PCORI Blog, Kay Dickerson comments, “When I found out more about PCORI, I decided I wanted to participate in its activities...Now I'm helping researchers to collect information valuable to patients and caregivers. In my role with ADVANCE, I've helped review the draft of the questionnaire that the project will use, as well as tools for recruitment and patient-reported outcomes. In addition, I may serve as a patient partner in a project on low back pain, which I experience as a result of my ankylosing spondylitis.” Click here to view the blog.
Recently, PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho sent a letter to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) in response to a recent session. In September's public meeting, the Commission discussed developing payment policy based on the use of clinical evidence, with specific focus on reinstating the least costly alternative (LCA) policy to Medicare Part B drugs and biologicals. “PIPC is deeply concerned with the Commission’s support for this proposal, which would allow for cost-based determinations of patient treatment options,” Chairman Coelho writes.” PIPC fought hard for patient protections in the Affordable Care Act that ensure CMS does not misuse clinical CER to impose ‘one-size-fits-all’ coverage or payment policies. LCA would undercut these protections and prevent doctors and patients from making informed decisions about the treatment option that is best for the individual patient. Therefore, we urge MedPAC not to move forward in recommending new LCA authority for CMS.” The letter cites PIPC’s recent White Paper, highlighting opportunities and issues to address in translating principles of patient-centeredness into value-based payment. Click here to view the letter.
2. PIPC Submits Comments to CMS on Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives
Recently, PIPC submitted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on how the agency can improve engagement of beneficiaries in health care to generate better care and better health at lower costs. The letter cites PIPC’s recent White Paper, which includes suggestions to promote the infrastructure for meaningful beneficiary engagement throughout the health care system and providing: (a) a voice for patients, (b) choice to patients, and (c) value for patients. Further, the comment letter enumerates targeted steps to address how patient engagement could be applied. Among the recommendations advanced in the letter: (1) CMMI should create a national advisory panel on patient-centeredness to give patients a voice in emerging alternative payment models (APMs); (2) CMMI should prioritize APMs that make patient engagement and informed treatment decision-making accessible; (3) and CMMI should improve upon and promote patient-centered models, such as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs). Click here to view the letter.
3. Inside Health Policy References PIPC Roundtable on Hepatitis C in Discussion of PCORI Workgroup
A recent article from Inside Health Policy highlights PIPC’s recommendations to PCORI on hepatitis C research that focuses on screening. “PCORI [met on] Friday to gather public input on whether comparative effectiveness research could inform hepatitis C treatment. Some of the research questions that PCORI will likely be asked to fund target reimbursement restrictions that states have put in place on Gilead Science's hepatitis C drugs, and a PCORI official says the institute does not intend to compare breakthrough hepatitis C drugs to older, less effective treatments… The Partnership to Improve Patient Care recently put together recommendations for PCORI research on hepatitis C that focus on screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended screening for hepatitis C in persons at high risk of infection, such as intravenous drug users and people born between 1945 and 1965. The PIPC recommendations focus on researching how to put that recommendation into practice.” Click here to view the article.
4. Event: Alliance for Aging Research Discussion on “The New Age of Aging”
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Dean Linda Fried and Alliance for Aging Research Founder Dan Perry will share perspectives on the new frontier of an aging population in a conversation on October 22 at 4 p.m. at Columbia University in New York City. Moderated by documentary filmmaker Perri Peltz, they will dive into research on the effects of aging on societies, how aging is perceived today, and the future of aging. It will also be available to watch online via Livestream. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #ColumbiaAging. This event is sponsored by the MetLife Foundation Silver Scholar Award, of which Dr. Fried was a 2012 recipient. Click here for details.
5. JAMA: The PCORI Perspective on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
A new viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) from PCORI leaders including Executive Director Joe Selby discusses the meaning of patient-centeredness in research and reasons for conducting patient-centered outcomes research. In this Viewpoint, the authors address 2 related questions: What does patient-centeredness in research mean? And why conduct patient-centered outcomes research? Click here to view (subscription only).
6. Oncology Blog: ‘Turning the Tide' Working Group Issues Recommendations on Patient-Centered, Value-Based Cancer Care
According to a blog in the Oncology Times, a multidisciplinary working group released a comprehensive issue brief at the recent ‘Turning the Tide Against Cancer’ conference intended to improve the value of cancer care and ensure that it is always patient-centered. The document, titled “A Pathway for Change: Supporting the Shift to Patient-Centered Cancer Research and Care and Addressing Value and Cost of Cancer Care,” makes 13 specific recommendations. Among their recommendations, “The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) should continue to support research to evaluate and identify innovative, effective methods for the use of decision support tools to communicate to patients and caregivers risks and benefits and uncertainty of evidence.” Click here to view the blog and recommendations.
7. Blog: Going PRO – Clinical Trials must Plan to Capture Patient-Reported Outcomes
According to a new blog on PLOS One, “patient-reported outcomes are now getting the focused attention they deserve. In the United States the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute was set up in 2010 to conduct ‘research that answers patients' questions,’ spending nearly $700 million USD on 360 projects...However, PROs must be collected rigorously from the beginning to minimize loss of research information.” Click here to view the blog.
8. PCORI Blogs: Generating Knowledge from Healthcare Practice; Guiding Research to Improve Healthcare
In a post last week on The PCORI Blog, Sarah Greene, Associate Director of PCORI’s CER Methods and Infrastructure program, wrote: “Earlier this year, PCORI sponsored two workshops, held by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that focused on research strategies for generating practical evidence from information routinely collected during clinical practice...The workshops highlighted areas of opportunity for generating knowledge from healthcare practice. One is the sustainability of patient partnerships...Another opportunity is more effective implementation of research findings, both within and beyond an individual system.” Click here to view the blog.
In a guest post last week on The PCORI Blog, Kay Dickerson comments, “When I found out more about PCORI, I decided I wanted to participate in its activities...Now I'm helping researchers to collect information valuable to patients and caregivers. In my role with ADVANCE, I've helped review the draft of the questionnaire that the project will use, as well as tools for recruitment and patient-reported outcomes. In addition, I may serve as a patient partner in a project on low back pain, which I experience as a result of my ankylosing spondylitis.” Click here to view the blog.