First Data to Report on Denial and Delay Rates for Hepatitis C Antiviral Agents Nearly 50 percent of Medicaid patients infected with chronic hepatitis C whose doctors had prescribed newer, life-saving antiviral drugs were denied coverage to the therapies because they weren’t considered “a medical necessity” or because the patients tested positive for alcohol/drugs, among … Read more
Being pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised by the taste of something can change a person’s mood, according to research published in Food Research International. Vanilla yogurt elicited a positive emotional reaction in tests, researchers say There is a growing conviction that emotional reactions to the consumption of foods or the perception of fragrances play an important … Read more
Kaiser Permanente Northwest will be publishing online patient ratings of its more than 1,300 physicians, making it the first Oregon physician group, and one of only a few providers nationwide, to share the information with consumers. The medical group’s new site, Kaiser Permanente Real Reviews, can be found at kp.org/doctorreviews/nw. Kaiser said in an announcement … Read more
Water and greens are the best way you can keep yourself energized, healthy and de-stressed during the holiday season, according to specialist Dr. Mercola Now that Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror, we’re speeding towards the Holidays, and if we’re not careful, we might arrive at “destination burnout”. Unusually late nights, coupled with food … Read more
“If you happen to find that the holidays are generating more personal stress and anxiety than usual, you are not alone,” said Richard R. Karges, Hopewell Executive Director/CEO, a leading authority on mental illness. “The good news is that the holiday season does not have to be that dreaded experience you felt was inevitable.” Karges, … Read more
Recent research, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, hints that people who follow their gut feelings might be less likely to act immorally. A new study predicts that people who follow their instinct are less likely to cheat. Sarah Ward, psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri, conducted a two-pronged study investigating … Read more
Oregon beach-goers could soon see a spike in health advisories warning against water contact. State officials are proposing more stringent criteria for the level of bacteria that triggers a warning. The new rules would go into effect in 2017 to meet new federal water-safety standards. The proposed standard could lead to about 50 percent more … Read more
Mislabeling, contamination and false advertising are illegal and four national retailers have done just that. GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart are accused of selling fake and potentially harmful herbal supplements and must remove them from their shelves, the New York State attorney general’s office has announced. An investigation by state authorities found that a number … Read more
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and Nutcase, the Portland-based maker of bike, skate, snow, and water helmets, announced a partnership agreement to help raise awareness about brain injury. The partnership kicks off with Nutcase donating $2 from each helmet sale through their website at http://www.nutcasehelmets.com to BIAA during the month of March in … Read more
Acetaminophen is the most widely used over the counter and prescription pain killer in the world. However, a new study published in the journal of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases suggests that doctors may have underestimated the risks of this popular analgesic. The mechanism behind the painkilling effect of acetaminophen, or paracetamol, is largely unknown, … Read more