title: What changes can your health plan expect from the new administration?
abstract: The new administration has already begun to introduce changes in some areas of government. To outline potential key changes to the US healthcare system and their impact on health plans, Robert Henry and Kip Piper of AHDB asked Dan Mendelson to draw on his experience as current president and founder of Avalere Health, as well as on his previous role as Associate Director for Health at the White House's Office of Management and Budget during the Clinton Administration. Mr Mendelson focuses on what he sees as key changes that will have direct implications for decision makers in healthcare, including (1) a greater emphasis on plan beneficiaries' protection, and (2) increased regulatory focus on plan operations. Plans can expect to have less government trust in actuarial submissions and probably more oversight and supervision of the daily operation of a plan. The triangle of quality, access, and cost will likely reflect the point of view of the beneficiary rather than that of plan administrators. Other topics discussed include the potential benefits of postmarketing surveillance, new opportunities for expediting drug approvals, and the new and increasing emphasis on comparative effectiveness research and health information technology.