RSSCategory: Michelle Andrews

Group appointments with doctors: When three isn’t a crowd

Group appointments with doctors: When three isn’t a crowd

A growing number of doctors have begun holding group appointments — seeing up to a dozen patients with similar medical concerns all at once. Advocates say such visits allow doctors to treat more patients, spend more time with them, increase appointment availability and improve health outcomes.

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March 19, 2013 | By | Reply More
New coverage may spur younger women to use long-acting contraceptives

New coverage may spur younger women to use long-acting contraceptives

The health law specifies that birth control is a covered service in many plans ending the burden of a high up-front cost for IUDs and hormonal implants.

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February 19, 2013 | By | Reply More
Observation units can improve care but may be costly for patients

Observation units can improve care but may be costly for patients

Patients who are kept in the hospital observation units to monitor their condition may not be formally admitted. When this happens they often have to pick up a bigger share of the cost.

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February 12, 2013 | By | Reply More
Answers to readers’ questions about health insurance

Answers to readers’ questions about health insurance

Michelle Andrews answers reader questions about the pregnancy benefits offered in the health overhaul, assurances that current insurance policies will be honored in the future and switching employer health plans.

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February 5, 2013 | By | Reply More
Health law offers dental coverage guarantee for some children

Health law offers dental coverage guarantee for some children

The requirement is only for individuals, small-groups; advocates say benefits may not be comprehensive or affordable enough.

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January 15, 2013 | By | Reply More
When employers’ health plans disappear, workers often have few options

When employers’ health plans disappear, workers often have few options

Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will make it easier for people who lose their job-based coverage to get comprehensive health insurance at a price they can afford through the state-based health insurance exchanges.

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January 1, 2013 | By | Reply More
Michelle Andrews answers readers’ health insurance questions

Michelle Andrews answers readers’ health insurance questions

Answers to readers’ questions about how seniors can qualify for coverage for the inoculations, whether parents are required to keep young adults on their plan and getting pregnancy care for dependents.

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September 11, 2012 | By | Reply More
Many people would like to know their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Many people would like to know their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented or cured, and it ranks second only to cancer among diseases that people fear. Still, about two-thirds of us say we would want to know if we are destined to get the disease.

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August 14, 2012 | By | Reply More
Workplace clinics expand focus beyond injuries and preventive care

Workplace clinics expand focus beyond injuries and preventive care

On-site workplace clinics used to be primarily focused on patching up people who got injured on the job. Then companies added primary care and started emphasizing preventive screenings and other “wellness” services. But now their offering a variety of add-ons, including physical therapy, dental and vision exams, mental health counseling — even acupuncture and massage.

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June 20, 2012 | By | Reply More
New screening tool could increase the use of virtual colonoscopies

New screening tool could increase the use of virtual colonoscopies

In a recent study, laxative-free virtual colonoscopy was nearly as effective as the optical colonoscopy at detecting larger polyps of at least 10 millimeters that are responsible for most colorectal cancers.

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June 5, 2012 | By | Reply More
Proposed changes to psychiatric manual could affect addiction diagnosis

Proposed changes to psychiatric manual could affect addiction diagnosis

When does drinking alcohol a problem? When does it become abuse? When is it an addiction?

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May 29, 2012 | By | Reply More
Lost in translation: Lack of trained interpreters can lead to medical errors

Lost in translation: Lack of trained interpreters can lead to medical errors

Interpreter services at hospitals and other medical settings are often inadequate, forcing family members, including children, to step in, or the task falls to medical staff members who may not speak the language well.

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May 22, 2012 | By | Reply More
Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking

Some insurers deny ER coverage to people who have been drinking

Laws in more than half the states permit insurers to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use. Faced with the prospect of not getting paid for care, some ER personnel sidestep the problem by simply not testing patients’ blood or urine for alcohol.

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May 2, 2012 | By | Reply More
Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation

Travel insurance can protect your wallet — and your health on vacation

Think your regular health insurance policy will cover you if you get into medical trouble overseas?

Don’t bet on it.

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April 24, 2012 | By | Reply More
Out-of-network care is expensive — but a couple of new options help

Out-of-network care is expensive — but a couple of new options help

A new database lets you find out the prevailing rates for medical procedures in your area, and the 2010 health-care reform law provides better protection when people receive out-of-network emergency care.

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April 17, 2012 | By | Reply More