- A new report from the HHS Office of the Inspector General found that Medicare beneficiaries who were hospitalized with COVID-19 experienced a number of comorbidities. According to the report, nearly all beneficiaries studied, about 55,000 across six cities, were treated for acute respiratory illness, nearly half were treated for acute kidney failure, and close to half experienced acute circulatory issues. Black, Hispanic, dually eligible, and older Medicare beneficiaries were disproportionately more likely to be hospitalized compared to other groups of beneficiaries. (Report here; Article here)
- A survey conducted by Willis Towers Watson last month found that 52 percent of U.S. employers will require their workers to get COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year. Nearly a third of employers are planning to require vaccinations to gain access to the workplace and about one-fifth are planning or considering making vaccination a condition of employment. About 20 percent are using cash incentives or penalties to encourage immunizations. The vast majority will require workers to wear masks indoors and 75 percent will use contract tracing. (Article here)
September 2, 2021
Payers