In this episode, we are looking at how benefit design in Medicare creates vaccine design inequity. Even small out-of-pocket costs can deter some communities from getting the right vaccines and treatment they need. 

"Any type of a policy that reduces the access to vaccination, most definitely will impact patients and will increase this wasteful spending,“ says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation. "Vaccines should be regarded as—and are regarded as—the most cost-beneficial intervention in healthcare." 

Among the highlights in this episode: 

2:06- What is benefit design in Medicare? 

2:41- How wasteful spending in healthcare impacts vaccine care 

3:51- Robert discusses the differences between Medicare Part B and D for senior citizens

5:10- The evidence on people being discouraged or inhibited from getting vaccines

6:39- Robert cites research of the racial inequity surrounding out-of-pocket costs for vaccines 

7:35- Impact of removing out-of-pocket costs for vaccines? 

8:23- “Vaccines are regarded as one the most cost beneficial interventions in the healthcare system”

8:47- Legislation being debated to remove out-of-pocket costs for vaccines for seniors

9:31 - Conner and Robert's takeaways from this episode

Contact our hosts: 

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, rpopovian@ghlf.org 

Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF, cmertens@ghlf.org 

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself to Healthcarematters@GHLF.org.

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

In this episode, we are looking at how benefit design in Medicare creates vaccine design inequity. Even small out-of-pocket costs can deter some communities from getting the right vaccines and treatment they need.&nbsp;
"Any type of a policy that reduces the access to vaccination, most definitely will impact patients and will increase this wasteful spending,&ldquo; says Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at the Global Healthy Living Foundation. "Vaccines should be regarded as&mdash;and are regarded as&mdash;the most cost-beneficial intervention in healthcare."&nbsp;
Among the highlights in this episode:&nbsp;
2:06- What is benefit design in Medicare?&nbsp;
2:41- How wasteful spending in healthcare impacts vaccine care&nbsp;
3:51- Robert discusses the differences between Medicare Part B and D for senior citizens
5:10- The evidence on people being discouraged or inhibited from getting vaccines
6:39- Robert cites research of the racial inequity surrounding out-of-pocket costs for vaccines&nbsp;
7:35- Impact of removing out-of-pocket costs for vaccines?&nbsp;
8:23- &ldquo;Vaccines are regarded as one the most cost beneficial interventions in the healthcare system&rdquo;
8:47- Legislation being debated to remove out-of-pocket costs for vaccines for seniors
9:31 - Conner and Robert's takeaways from this episode
Contact our hosts:&nbsp;
Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF, <a href="mailto:rpopovian@ghlf.org&nbsp;">rpopovian@ghlf.org&nbsp;</a>
Conner Mertens, Patient Advocate and Community Outreach Manager at GHLF, <a href="mailto:cmertens@ghlf.org&nbsp;">cmertens@ghlf.org&nbsp;</a>
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself to <a href="mailto:Healthcarematters@GHLF.org">Healthcarematters@GHLF.org</a>.
Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on <a href="https://ghlf.org/healthcare-matters-podcast/">our website</a> or on your favorite podcast channel.

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 

Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 

The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 

www.ghlf.org

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 
Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 
The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 
www.ghlf.org

Healthcare Matters

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.

The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.
The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

Advertisement