Pharmacy
The healthcare sector bore the brunt of about $216 billion of those costs -- and things may get worse.
The retail juggernaut has been meeting with hospital execs to brainstorm potential models for broadening its B2B supply arm, into supplying hospitals, systems.
A more transparent formulary design enables pharma companies of all sizes to be listed on the exchange, giving consumers more choice and leading to lower out-of-pocket expense, the company says.
Insurers are asked to submit by Feb. 21 written responses to questions such as treatment coverage for Medicare beneficiaries.
The increase represents a substantial impact, especially given the use of many high-cost drugs, the report says. The firm also points to biosimilars as opportunity to thwart spending.
Advisors to the ambitious plan include former CMS head Don Berwick, MD, and Harvard professor Clayton Christensen, among others.
The former Eli Lilly CEO also told the Senate Finance Committee affordability and the opioid epidemic round out his top four priorities.
Opioids and heroin play a big role, but so do variations in primary care and mental health services.
The most important developments hospital finance and operations executives should understand heading into 2018.
Raymond Kraynak doled out millions of opioids without a "legitimate medical purpose," DOJ says.