Juliet Gallagher

Key Takeaways The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will now issue faster decisions and payments for survivors’ claims by paying the higher of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Survivors Pension without separately developing both claims. The regulation, effective February 23, 2026, streamlines adjudication and reduces administrative burden. In most cases, DIC provides the greater benefit, with limited exceptions for certain surviving spouses in nursing homes receiving Medicaid.

As atopic dermatitis treatment advances from traditional immunosuppressants and topical steroids to high-cost biologics and oral JAK inhibitors, payers are recalibrating how—and when—patients gain access to systemic therapy. Our latest Formulary Frontlines analysis compares how Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare manage coverage across key atopic dermatitis treatment classes, revealing distinct differences in tiering strategy, utilization management, and escalation pathways.

Key Takeaways Nearly one-third of surveyed adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) screened positive for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, far exceeding documented diagnosis rates. Positive ADHD screening was associated with more than double the odds of poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥8.0%) and higher depression scores. No significant associations were observed between ADHD symptoms and most cardiometabolic comorbidities after statistical correction.