Commissioners also discussed HPC’s future work to analyze the impact of COVID-19 to support the Commonwealth’s policy response, and new MassUP investments targeting disparities

Commissioners will discuss key updates on priority policy areas including out-of-network billing and the scope of the nurse practitioner workforce in Massachusetts

HPC finds the number of virtual patient visits doubled in 2017, but overall use was well below the U.S. rate; recommends urgent policy action to expand access

Recommends greater accountability and oversight of health care providers, health plans, and the pharmaceutical market; urges scrutiny of outpatient care as well as strategies to improve primary and behavioral health care access

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission’s investment programs find significant reduction in infant length of stay, improved care for mothers and infants affected by opioid use disorder

Research shows wide variation in payments for emergency, radiology, anesthesiology, and pathology procedures

Opioid-related hospital use in Massachusetts declined for the first time this decade between 2016 and 2017, but disparities by geography, race, and income persist

Prices Charged by Pharmacy Benefit Managers for Generic Drugs Were Often Markedly Higher Than the Actual Cost of the Drug in Both the Massachusetts Medicaid Managed Care and Commercial Plans, Contributing to Higher Health Care Spending

Findings and Recommendations Provide New Insights into Access Barriers for Patients with Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder, and Affordability Issues for Patients with Diabetes in the Commonwealth