Potential changes in HIV screening; $148M in alleged urine testing fraud; Medicare coverage for insulin – Morning Medical Update

Increasing HIV screening

Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has opened a public comment period on its new draft research plan for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening, regarding testing benefits and potential harms for asymptomatic, nonpregnant adolescents and adults, particularly in primary care settings. The comment period runs through Jan. 3.

$148M in alleged urine testing fraud

A 48-year-old man in Louisiana was indicted for allegedly defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of more than $148 million in medically unnecessary definitive urine drug testing services, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The scheme involved testing for at least 15 substances, regardless of the patient’s treatment plan or history, from 2013 to 2022.

Loss of insulin coverage?

The federal Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin prices at $35 a month for seniors with diabetes on Medicare. But now some Medicare plans may drop insulin coverage, so experts are advising Medicare enrollees to check if their plans will cover insulin by Dec. 7.