On this episode of Managed Care Cast, The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) speaks with Tory M. Wolff, MBA, an author of a study published in the September 2025 issue and managing partner of Recon Strategy, a management consulting firm specializing in health care strategy.

His study, "Impact of More Primary Care Visits on Commercial Health Care Costs," found that more frequent routine primary care visits among certain higher-risk commercially insured adults are associated with lower net population-level health care costs. 

In this conversation, Wolff explores the inspiration behind his research, expands on his findings, and discusses the next steps to better understand the long-term value of routine primary care in commercial populations.

Frequent Routine Primary Care Visits May Lower Costs for Higher-Risk Commercially Insured Adults

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, The American Journal of Managed Care® speaks with Laxmi Patel, chief strategy officer at Savista, about how the proposed federal Budget Reconciliation Act could reshape Medicaid coverage nationwide. 

Patel explains why states with large immigrant populations, rural hospital dependence, or provider tax funding could face the most immediate disruptions and what payers can do to prepare. 

Building on AJMC’s prior discussion with Patel on state-level Medicaid policy changes, this conversation explores how coverage loss, care deserts, and administrative burdens may evolve if these reforms move forward—and what proactive, state-specific strategies can help mitigate the impact.

How Medicaid Reforms Could Deepen State Coverage Gaps

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, The American Journal of Managed Care® spoke with Gen Li, PhD, CEO and cofounder of Phesi, a clinical data company that provides AI-driven insights to sponsors and providers to optimize clinical trial efficacy. A recent analysis from Phesi found over 100 diseases currently being studied using GLP-1 RA therapies. The rapid growth of GLP-1 RA therapies being used across multiple, overlapping conditions creates an incentive for efficient and easily accessible clinical trial data to aid sponsors and researchers in establishing control cohorts using Phesi's Trial Accelerator platform and digital patient profiles. 

The Emerging Landscape of GLP-1 RA Therapies: Gen Li, PhD, MBA

In this episode of Managed Care Cast, we talk with Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America. In our conversation, we discuss advocating for hearing loss awareness, breaking down care barriers related to stigma, and empowering individuals through legislation and public policy. Kelley also highlights the importance of early intervention, advancements in hearing technology, and the social and financial challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss, advocating for better hearing health integration into overall wellness.

Advocacy, Access, and Awareness: Addressing Barriers in Hearing Health

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, The American Journal of Managed Care® speaks with Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN, an associate professor in the School of Nursing at Duquesne University and author of a study published in the October 2025 issue.

Despite its potential, her study, "Opportunities and Obstacles Associated With the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program," examines the challenges of implementing the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) from the perspective of program suppliers nationwide.

In this conversation, Turk discusses the limited adoption of the MDPP and the inspiration behind her study. She also outlines her key findings and shares next steps for implementing and sustaining the program.

Challenges, Opportunities in Implementing the MDPP: Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN

How is AI transforming breast cancer screening? On this episode of Managed Care Cast, leading radiology expert, Robert NIshikawa, PhD, breaks down the latest advancements in deep-learning models designed to work alongside mammograms—improving accuracy, efficiency, and early detection in breast imaging.

Nishikawa BC Podcast - 10:23:25, 12.23 PM

Today we are bringing you a conversation on how topical therapies can effectively manage atopic dermatitis. 

Brian Keegan, MD, PhD, FAAD, a dermatologist with Princeton Dermatology, spoke with Alexa Hetzel, MS, PA-C, physician assistant with Schweiger Dermatology Group; Vikash D. Oza, MD, director of pediatric dermatology at NYU Langone; and Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, dermatologist and dermatopathologist at True Dermatology.

In addition to discussing the clinical benefits and impact on patient outcomes of using topical therapies for atopic dermatitis, the panelists explored how health economics research informs treatment decisions by demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of topical therapies. The panel also analyzed the potential health care cost savings and resource optimization achieved through strategic use of topical treatments and atopic dermatitis management.


Managed Care Cast Presents: Leveraging Topical Therapies for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis


On today’s episode, Dr. Tabby Khan, senior director of analytics for Komodo Health, spoke about their newest data analysis measuring age and insurance disparities in antibody-drug conjugate, or ADC, treatment rates in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The analysis was in partnership with the Tigerlily Foundation, a national breast cancer advocacy organization, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 


Age-Related Disparities in ADC Treatment Rates in Breast Cancer with Tabby Khan, MD


Donovan Campbell, CEO, and his organization Medbridge are urging CMS to finalize specific refinements to RTM as part of the Calendar Year 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (CMS-1832-P), recognizing that RTM is critical for supporting physical therapy, patient health, and patient engagement. We will explore how this shift provides a crucial financial incentive for organizations, but more importantly, how the successful adoption of RTM enhances the clinical value proposition by improving population health, lowering overall costs, and tackling the problem of access barriers to conservative care.


From Niche to Mainstream: Transforming Physical Therapy by Refining Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

On this episode of Managed Care Cast, AJMC spoke with lead CML researcher, Jorge Cortes, MD, to discuss the evolution of the groundbreaking treatment Imatinib and its effect on survial in patients with chronic myelogenous lukiemia. 