• California/Washington: SCAN Health Plan and Costco are partnering to launch a new suite of insurance products aimed at seniors. Through the partnership, the companies will sell branded Medicare Advantage products in two states and a Medicare supplement in a third state. The states where the products will be launched have not yet been disclosed. "For more than 40 years, Costco has consistently listened to our Members and earned their trust delivering consistent value on essential goods and expanding our health service offerings," said Costco CEO Ron Vachris. "Selecting SCAN as our partner to deliver a better healthcare experience for seniors, is an extension of that commitment. We have developed a shared understanding of what matters most to the seniors we serve. Deepening our partnership allows us to build on that foundation and create value for our Members." According to MedCity News, the companies are also considering new offerings for the future, including a "re-invented pharmacy experience," over-the-counter benefits, vision, audiology, and more. (Plescia, MedCity News, 8/20)
• Maryland: FDA has approved a new treatment from Revolution Medicines that could transform pancreatic cancer care, significantly extending the lives of patients with the disease. Pancreatic cancer is one of the hardest cancers to treat, with a five-year survival rate of just 8%. The new treatment, which is called daraxonrasib and will be sold under the brand name Rasonque, targets a group of genes called RAS to block tumor growth. RAS mutations, including KRAS, are found in roughly 30% of all cancers and over 90% of pancreatic cancers. In a clinical trial, patients who received daraxonrasib had a median overall survival of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months for those who received chemotherapy. With FDA's approval, patients with pancreatic cancer can now receive the drug after at least one line of prior therapy or if they are not eligible for initial chemotherapy. "Today's approval provides a critical new option for patients facing an extraordinarily difficult and historically hard-to-treat cancer," said acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas. "It is our fundamental duty to deliver more cures and meaningful treatments to patients as quickly as possible." (Feuerstein/Chen, STAT+ [subscription required], 8/26)
• Washington: Providence Health Plan will wind down its operations after failing to sell its Medicare Advantage business. In May, Providence said it would shut down most of its health insurance businesses due to higher costs and regulatory changes. At the time, the organization planned to exit the commercial and Medicaid markets in 2027 but hoped to continue its Medicare Advantage plans by partnering with a national carrier. However, Providence was not able to reach a deal and is currently working with regulators to wind down its insurance operations. So far, Providence has not offered an estimated timeline or next steps for its Medicare Advantage business. (Tepper, Modern Healthcare, 8/14)

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