Articles related to HEALTHCARE COSTS

In a study of parenteral cancer drug pricing at 61 NCI-designated cancer centers, median price markups on 25 commonly used drugs ranged from approximately 120% to 630% over acquisition cost. The paper’s authors recommend public policy prohibiting excessive markup on parenteral chemotherapies as a means to reduce unnecessary financial burden on patients.

MedPage Today has published a rebuttal to an article published in The Washington Post newspaper where a pair of economists criticize physicians and the expense of medical care in the US. The rebuttal takes issue with the assertion that doctors are “muggers” and co-conspirators in “taking money away from the rest of us,” as well as the ways in which healthcare costs are quantified in The Washington Post article. The author of the rebuttal stresses that there is a lack of respect towards physicians today that is driving many people from medicine.

Some positive news. The 2022 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) have been increased. This year, the maximum HSA contribution limits have been set at $3,650 for an individual and $7,300 for family coverage. People who qualify to make HSA contributions can lower their current-year tax bill. The more money you contribute to an HSA, the bigger your tax break. But not everyone qualifies to contribute. Check out the latest rules and qualifiers.

Prescription drug prices rise each year in January and July. As we start off the new year, GoodRx Health is reporting that a total of 658 branded drugs have just had their prices increased an average of 4.9%, while 11 generic medications have seen their prices rise an average of 10.3%. That’s less than the 832 drugs that saw their price increase in January 2021. Among the biggest movers are Nucynta, paclitaxel, and Prilosec.