Providers are once again challenging the Biden administration on the surprise billing law and the method for deciding who picks up the tab in disputes over out-of-network care.
The big picture: Almost 10 months after the law protecting patients from unexpected medical bills took effect, key details have yet to be settled, with billions of dollars on the line for providers, insurers and employers.
While men were far likelier to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder during the pandemic, women were more likely to overdose, according to a new FAIR Health analysis provided to Axios.
Why it matters: The study of private insurance claims shows the rising burden of substance use across the U.S.
Why it matters: The decision to drop the restrictions stemmed from the country's vaccination, hospitalization and death rates and the availability of vaccine boosters.
Pfizer and BioNTech announced Monday that they are seeking emergency use authorization from the FDA for its Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster for children ages 5-11.
The big picture: The companies' submission comes after Moderna on Friday requested emergency use authorization for its Omicron-specific COVID booster shots for children 6-17 years old.
The era of multimillion-dollar gene therapies has arrived, providing a ray of hope to patients with debilitating diseases — but also presenting huge affordability challenges.
Why it matters: Though the expected number of patients who'll likely receive the treatments is relatively low, it's unclear how small employers, state Medicaid programs, and the rest of the health system will absorb such large costs all at once.
