When Screening Guidelines Shift: Impacts on Healthcare Access & Use
From Health Affairs This Week by Health Affairs
May 8, 2026 · 22 min · Episode 247
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of new cholesterol screening guidelines on healthcare access and costs.
Health Affairs Publishing 's Jeff Byers welcomes Duke University School of Medicine 's Mike Pignone to the pod to explore the new cholesterol screening guidelines, how evolving screening and treatment guidelines (including colon cancer and breast cancer screening guidelines) influence care, and the broader cost implications for the health system. Join Health Affairs Publishing on May 13 for an exclusive Insider virtual event exploring individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements ( ICHRAs ) with Urban Institute’s Jason Levitis . Related Articles: Generic cholesterol drugs save Medicare billions of dollars, study finds ( UT Southwestern Medical Center ) Trends in Utilization and Cost of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol–Lowering Therapies Among Medicare Beneficiaries ( JAMA ) A cholesterol test you've never heard of is now recommended to prevent heart disease ( NPR ) ACC/American Heart Association Issue Updated Guideline for Managing Lipids, Cholesterol ( American Heart Association ) Sign up for Health Affairs' free newsletter to catch up on our new articles, podcasts, and events.
People in this episode
Host: Jeff Byers
Guest: Mike Pignone
Topics covered
- cholesterol screening
- healthcare access
- screening guidelines
- cost implications
- health system
Keywords
- cholesterol
- screening guidelines
- healthcare access
- cost implications
- health system
- breast cancer
- colon cancer
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Duke University School of Medicine, Health Affairs Publishing, Urban Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, JAMA, NPR, American Heart Association
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