Mary Caffrey

Recent studies have linked yoga and mindfulness with reduced stress, improved glycemic control, and even lower medical costs. Should these low-cost practices find ways to standardize to meet payers' needs? Or is it managed care that needs to adapt?

While the Ohio governor is getting more attention for his efforts to keep federal funds for Medicaid expansion, he's quietly working just as hard on maintaining the momentum toward value-based care.

The House GOP plan would let insurers charge older adults more while younger ones pay less. But low-income Americans nearing retirement age would see tax credits sliced in half at a time when premiums would rise.

US and European guidelines recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity.

The lack of measurement goes against the trend toward accountability in healthcare. Studies show there are savings to be found in post-acute settings.

The study points to an additional tool that could help prevent at-risk patients from progressing to diabetes.

For some time, studies have shown a link between elevated stress and obesity. Measuring cortisol levels in the hair may be a better way to evaluate chronic stress, since the hormone level will not fluctuate from day to day.

The bill circulating Friday would allow insurers to charge older Americans 5 times what the youngest group pays; insurers could charge anyone with a lapse in coverage 30% more to re-enter the market.

The shift is almost entirely due to a boost of support from independents. Respondents also overwhelmingly support keeping funds for Medicaid expansion.

The results are important given the concentration of Medicare beneficiaries who are in Medicaid and being treated for multiple chronic conditions.

The study adds to the growing body of evidence linking heart disease and diabetes to dementia.

The results from the United Kingdom support CMS' decision to add a payment code for collaborative care to this year's Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The results follow a separate report that outlined the reasons why low-income workers don't seek preventive care, and what can be done.

A panel discussion about the challenges of health information technology at the 5th annual Patient-Centered Oncology Care® meeting also identified opportunities for providers to leverage better solutions.

The announcements come as Medicare is set to start reimbursing the Diabetes Prevention Program on January 1, 2018.

Pam Mangat, MS, associate director for the TAPUR study in the research and analysis division of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, offered an update on the study at the 5th annual Patient-Centered Oncology Care® meeting.

Two surveys, one each for patients and providers, reveal gaps between patient confidence to manage disease or pain and what they'd like to see from their physicians.

This small study found sustained weight loss of 10% of body weight in patients who were overweight but not obese, along with improvements in glycemic control and quality of life that exceeded patients taking medication only.

The policy brief outlines House GOP thinking on a universal, refundable, and portable tax credit, state-based high-risk pools, and how to repeal Medicaid expansion. But many specifics, including what it would cost a typical family, are unclear.

Researchers examined how genetic variants linked to type 2 diabetes behave in their environment, and the results pointed to a molecule that affects how pancreatic islet cells "read" the genes.

The study found that the average healthcare cost of an unnecessary shock was $4470, and 42% of the patients captured in the data received an inappropriate shock. The group included 41% in Medicare.

An author in JAMA points out some caveats to a ground-breaking trial.

Moments after the bill cleared the General Assembly, NJ Governor Chris Christie signed into law requirements that insurers pay for 6 months of treatment, limit the first opioid script to 5 days, and educate prescribers on the dangers of addiction.

The legislature is expected to give final passage to the nation's strictest treatment mandates and a 5-day cap on the initial opioid prescription. Governor Chris Christie's plan has met little resistance, even though the cost is unknown.

Aetna's CEO said it made no sense to proceed in the "current environment." Federal judges have blocked both the Aetna-Humana merger and a separate deal involving Anthem and Cigna.

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed their dislike for an entity that could take away their spending authority. But a leading Democrat also raised the fact that the new HHS Secretary, Tom Price, MD, would be harsh on the most vulnerable.

Results show how the hybrid closed loop system reduced glycemic variability, which leads to fewer long-term complications from type 1 disease.

Attorneys for Sanofi, a sponsor of Praluent, said the public interest in having more than one drug available in the PCSK9 class would be an important part of their claim.

Toxic air has long been suspected as a contributor to diabetes and obesity, but this study is the first to find a direct link.

Michael Abrams, managing partner for Numerof and Associates, said regions where states have taken a lead in promoting value-based care are further ahead in moving away from fee-for-service.