It’s that time of year again: Medicare Open Enrollment Oct 15 – December 7
In September, CMS announced that the average basic premium for a Medicare prescription drug plan in 2018 is projected to decline to an estimated $33.50 per month. This represents a decrease of approximately $1.20 below the average basic premium of $34.70 in 2017. The Medicare prescription drug plan average basic premium is projected to decline for the first time since 2012. The annual Call letter addressed a number of key issues – see more here.
FDA Approves Zika Virus Blood Screening Test
FDA officials have approved the first test for screening Zika virus in blood donations. The approval is based on the use of cobas Zika test under IND. The data collected from this testing, along with data from additional studies performed by the manufacturer, demonstrated that the test is an effective way to screen blood donors for the Zika virus infection. This is a huge breakthrough for stopping the spread of this virus – Read more.
CEO Spotlight: 3 Must-Ask Questions for Choosing a Staffing Agency
The three questions we suggest you ask yourself is how many employees do you need, how much time do you have to fill these positions, and how many staffing firms are you willing to use at a time? Every firm has its strengths and weaknesses. Choose wisely, though. Your employees are your most valuable asset, so you want the people responsible for supplying them to have your best interests in mind – Learn more here.
Amazon Could Lower Drug Prices and Disrupt Pharmaceutical Industry
Morgan Stanley has a new report out for investors that outlines how Amazon’s potential push into pharmacy would benefit consumers. In the first phase, the authors speculate that Amazon could open “virtual retail pharmacies,” leveraging its Prime Now network for millions of U.S. consumers to buy drugs online. Late last week, CNBC reported that Amazon will make a final decision in the next four to six weeks about whether it will move into the drug supply chain. It’s still an open question for the company, as pharmacy is a huge market but is highly complex –Read more.
