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Health plan narrow networks to continue in 2015

The Los Angeles Times reports that, for Californians, the state's largest insurers are likely to stick with, or even reduce, the size of their doctor networks for the upcoming plan season. Additionally, no comprehensive directory is available to help consumers match their physicians with their health plans. Meanwhile, The Washington Post also explores how the issue is playing out in the context of a ballot initiative.

30 Sep 2014

New Aspen Dental office opened in Sebring, Florida

A new Aspen Dental office is opening in Sebring, FL on Thursday, October 2. Located at 1855 US 27 North, the conveniently located practice will provide dental services that range from dentures and preventive care to general dentistry and restoration.

30 Sep 2014

Increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea threatens public health and safety

Public health and safety are threatened by the increasing prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, which now afflicts at least 25 million adults in the U.S., according to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project. Several new studies highlight the destructive nature of obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and depression.

29 Sep 2014

Protein Sciences releases Flublok influenza vaccine for the 2014/2015 season

Protein Sciences Corporation, manufacturer of the revolutionary Flublok influenza vaccine, announced today that doses of the vaccine have been released and are now available for shipment.

29 Sep 2014

Docs express frustration with electronic health records

And some worry that a slate of new Web domain addresses could trick consumers into taking medical advice from and getting scammed by those without the proper credentials.

29 Sep 2014

Cancer specialist outlines 10 symptoms that should never be ignored

Patients often ask, "Doc, is this something to worry about?" Patients fear the worst yet often choose to ignore potentially deadly warning signs.

29 Sep 2014

Virginia Tech participates in NCAA initiative to limit concussions among college athletes, military personnel

Virginia Tech is participating in a new, landmark $30 million national effort sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the U.S. Department of Defense to combat concussions among college athletes and active service military personnel.

26 Sep 2014

Virginia Tech participates in national effort to combat concussions

26 Sep 2014

Survey: More than 70% of young cancer specialists across Europe show signs of burnout

Across Europe, more than 70% of young cancer specialists are showing signs of burnout, the largest survey of its kind has revealed. The results, reported at the Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO 2014) in Madrid, have prompted calls for serious action to address the issue at all levels.

26 Sep 2014

Dramatic videos of OSA patients increase CPAP usage

Like more than 20 million other Americans, John Brugger has been diagnosed with sleep apnea. He snored, tossed and turned and struggled to breathe during the night, which often left him not only exhausted the next day but also raised his risk of heart attack, stroke and car accidents.

26 Sep 2014

State highlights: N.C. lawmakers still talking about Medicaid revamp; changes to La. health plan for state workers stir controversy

Legislators who couldn't agree this year on how to overhaul North Carolina's Medicaid program plan to spend more time talking about the issue before the General Assembly reconvenes early next year. A legislative oversight panel subcommittee charged with examining Medicaid reform and reorganization scheduled its first meeting Wednesday. Another oversight panel also examining Medicaid governance held its first meeting this month. The House and Senate approved differing versions of legislation to change how Medicaid pays for medical expenses by shifting risk from the state to either medical provider networks or private managed-care companies (9/24).

26 Sep 2014

Longer looks: ACOs and job shifts; abortion's racial gap; having a stroke at 33

It is now nearly a year since the roll-out of Obamacare. The launch was a shambles, and Obamacare is a totem for every American who hates big government. Republicans will deride it, yet again, in the mid-term elections. Obamacare is indeed costly and overcomplicated. Yet it is not to blame for America's health mess, and it could just contain the beginnings of a partial solution to it. But that will only happen if politicians treat health care like a patient: first, diagnose the disease, then examine whether Barack Obama's treatment helped, and then ask what will make the patient better (9/20).

26 Sep 2014

Self-reported memory complaints are strong predictors of Alzheimer's later in life

New research by scientists at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging suggests that people who notice their memory is slipping may be on to something.

25 Sep 2014

Viewpoints: A 'success story' in McAllen, Texas; 'uniquely high prices' in health care

It may have been the most influential magazine article of the past decade. In June of 2009, the doctor and writer Atul Gawande published a piece in The New Yorker called "The Cost Conundrum," which examined why the small border city of McAllen, Tex., was the most expensive place for health care in the United States. ... Five years later, the situation has changed. Where McAllen once illustrated the problem of American health care, the city is now showing us how the problem can be solved, largely because of the Affordable Care Act that Mr. Obama signed into law in 2010 (Bob Kocher and Farzad Mostashari, 9/23).

25 Sep 2014

Anthem excludes Missouri's BJC Healthcare from network again

The Blue Cross Blue Shield plan won't include the giant health system and its 12 hospitals, including Barnes Jewish and St. Louis Children's Hospital, in its 2015 provider network for exchange enrollees. Meanwhile, 350,000 Medi-Cal applicants in California still wait for coverage and Colorado's insurance rates level off.

25 Sep 2014

Zocdoc helps Utah residents to secure faster access to quality healthcare

ZocDoc, a free online service used by more than six million patients each month, arrives in Utah today, helping residents effortlessly secure faster access to quality healthcare.

24 Sep 2014

Wal-Mart and CVS eye expanded roles in health care delivery

Marketplace reports that Wal-Mart is opening up clinics in a handful of states, while Kaiser Health News details a the dynamics of a partnership between CVS and MedStar Health. Also, in Connecticut, a group of independent hospitals joins forces to gain the benefits of scale.

24 Sep 2014

Newborn screening can prevent lifelong disability

When your baby was born you likely heard a loud cry and examined your baby to make sure he/she had a full set of adorable fingers and toes. But just imagine a few days after you arrive home, your phone rings: your baby has screened positive for a genetic disorder.

24 Sep 2014

ProMedica Physicians ENT specialist develops two noise-based mobile apps

Aaron G. Benson, MD, an otolaryngologist and neurotologist with ProMedica Physicians Ear, Nose and Throat, approaches medicine with a creative and innovative mind. He recently developed two noise-based mobile applications, both inspired by real patients' needs and concerns: NoiseMonitor and NoiseLock.

24 Sep 2014

Teens around the world frequently use OTC and prescription medications without doctor's order

Adolescents around the world are frequently using over-the-counter and prescription medications without a doctor's order, a risky practice that can lead to overuse and abuse and is often continued into adulthood, reveals a new review in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

24 Sep 2014