Author name: Camm Epstein

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, creates three-dimensional objects from digital models by adding material, typically layer by layer. By contrast,

Crystal balls have been associated with fortune telling for several hundred years. Today, actuaries do not use crystal balls to

The Statue of Liberty has welcomed generations of immigrants to the United States — its torch a symbol of enlightenment.

Superheroes like Batman, Spiderman, Captain America, and Black Panther wear masks, and their brave acts reduce social costs. When these

The official motto of the United States of America can be found on our currency and coins: “In God we

Way back, surveyors chiseled marks in stone structures to serve as a “bench” for a leveling rod, ensuring consistent measurement.

Everyone negatively impacted by gun violence hopes it is the shot heard around the world. Yet in the United States,

Perhaps you’ve noticed that a standard deck of playing cards has 52 cards, just as there are 52 weeks in

Paint-by-number kits assign colors to specific areas to reproduce art, including great works like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper

In these dark and uncertain times, we seek light and predictability — even if that means a new normal. The

Someone once said something like, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully

Do you believe in love at first sight — like the instant head-over-heels connection between Cinderella and Prince Charming in

Sometimes you have to take a step back to see the big picture — the forest for the trees. Sometimes

During the holiday season when gifts are often exchanged, one might recall the old proverb: Don’t look a gift horse

If you’ve experienced the joy of attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, you know that the balloons are huge. The

Life hacks are those simple, clever methods that boost productivity or efficiency. While the term life hack was coined in

Cherry Coke is sweet, but cherry picking a comparator to maximize the contrast effect can leave a sour taste in

Population health is on fire and, importantly, makes sense. And though the term is somewhat new (popularized by the Triple

A level playing field helps to ensure a fair contest between two teams — it wouldn’t be fair if one

Fads, crazes, hits, and styles come and go. Looking back, the popular diet, toy, song, or haircut now seems silly.

Why pay taxes? Likely to avoid the potential consequences of tax evasion. Why slow down after spotting a police car?

Imagine a world without standards. There would be disagreements about everything. There would be no shared understanding of time and

You’re probably familiar with the mnemonic “I before E, except after C” which couples both a spelling rule and an

Many policymakers think there is a drug rebate crisis, and consultants who should know better have led them astray by

Sherpa guides have led explorers through the Himalayas for many years. In such challenging conditions, an effective guide is knowledgeable,

Winning a game of Monopoly — assuming players have the stamina to play to the end — depends on some

Invariably, you’ve questioned the fit of two or more things in countless situations — when working on a puzzle, trying

The light bulb has become a symbol of innovation for good reason. Thomas Edison, the inventor and a cofounder of

Criticism of rebates between sellers and buyers is not new. For example, Standard Oil received rebates from railroads beginning in

There is growing scrutiny about the spend and trend of prescription drugs and the role PBMs play in it. Many

Life and work are full of decisions — many small decisions and a few big decisions. One of the big

The near-monopolistic control the De Beers corporation exercises is the primary reason diamonds cost so much. Diamonds are not rare,

Benjamin Franklin said nothing in this world except death and taxes is certain. Of course, there are other some other absolutes,

You know the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Or how about the idiom “An ounce

The Magilla Gorilla Show’s theme song chanted that “at any price, a gorilla like Magilla is mighty nice.” And MasterCard’s “Priceless” campaign

The spiritual “Dem Dry Bones” with catchy lines like “Hip bone connected to the back bone” provides an overly simplistic

Organizations often make plans for the New Year, and reflections on the past year are typically part of this process.

Perhaps you remember the “But wait! There’s more!” line from the Ginsu knife ads. Or maybe you recall anxiously searching

Value-based contracts between payers and manufacturers are in vogue. From the payer’s perspective, paying for performance by getting reimbursed for

The Marshmallow Test — giving a young child a choice between eating one marshmallow now or getting two marshmallows if

Manufacturers can bring truly innovative drugs and medtech to market. But to health systems, it’s not just what manufacturers do

Some people dislike or even fear tight spaces, like crowded elevators. But for payers, there are several reasons to love

Off-label use of drugs and medical devices is legal and very common. Once a manufacturer has demonstrated to the FDA

Though all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again, it’s pretty easy to

Manufacturers and payers are guilty of making quick fixes that address a symptom but not the underlying problem. Sure, these

In the dance between manufacturers and payers, brands that initially achieve commercial success often become more successful. There is a

Cancer drugs: New products and uses and guidelines — oh my! Payers historically have avoided aggressive utilization management of cancer

Payers’ use of prior authorization (PA) is often discussed but seldom fully understood. Myths and misconceptions related to PAs abound

Here’s a bumper sticker: Honk if you know what your customer really wants. For a manufacturer, successful payer marketing hinges

Measurement is commonly linked with good management. You may be familiar with the old saw in carpentry measure twice, cut

Yes, sometimes payers view “non-inferior” products as being superior. Just how they react to new products with evidence of non-inferiority

While P&T committee meetings are typically serious and professional, like all social situations, funny things can happen. Pharmacy and medical

A mock pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) or health technology assessment (HTA) committee meeting is one of several methods manufacturers can

An observer may ask whether a difference is significant. This seemingly simple question requires a nuanced answer, because there is

Convenience products are those that are relatively easier to use than alternatives already on the market. Products that require less

Change in health care is constant, and with that change payers expect new stuff — new products, services, evidence, guidelines,

Value. It is always wanted, commonly discussed, occasionally conceptualized, yet infrequently operationalized or measured correctly. But if optimizing value is

Payers often conduct a budget impact analysis to assess the affordability of a new offering, such as a drug, medical

Real-World Decisions In essence, payers make formulary management/medical policy decisions based on three criteria: efficacy, safety and cost. When a

Are Payers Just Not That Into Your Brand? You’re trying to optimize market access for your brand, yet you have