Practice Management
Americans’ self-reported mental and physical health has declined over the past decade with a sharper drop after the COVID-19 pandemic. In Gallup’s latest survey, 75% of Americans rate their mental health as “excellent” or “good,” and 76% similarly rate their physical health in this way—down from highs of 89% for mental health in 2012 and 82% for physical health in 2003. The percentage of poll respondents rating their health with the top score of “excellent” …
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The measles outbreak in Texas is spreading, just as many public health officials had anticipated, and now many parents—who had previously opted out—are making appointments for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines for their children, according to local health officials speaking to NBC. A mobile unit stationed outside of emergency departments in the affected areas is currently offering measles testing and vaccines. Kids who were previously unvaccinated accounted for about half of the MMR shots provided at the …
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Compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies will ultimately need to stop producing their versions of semaglutide following the resolution of the short-term shortage of the manufacturer’s original brand drug product. Compounding pharmacies were previously allowed to create generic versions of the diabetes and weight loss drug due to supply issues, but with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now declaring the shortage over, production and sales must cease by April 22 for pharmacies and May 22 …
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American Family Care announced its acquisition of 5 Physician One Urgent Care locations in the Boston area this week. The deal brings AFC’s total rooftops to 35 operating in Massachusetts and more than 400 across the United States. Meanwhile, the company has also added recent de novo sites with more in the pipeline. AFC has been backed by Lorient Capital since March 2024, and its clinical teams treat 4 million patients each year. Earlier this …
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Several Florida hospitals are suing UnitedHealthcare claiming the mega-insurer systematically underpays for emergency services. The 17 hospitals involved in the suit allege that the insurer failed to pay them the reimbursement rate required by Florida law, as reported by WKMG. The claims at issue in the argument involve only Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace exchange products. Last September, University of Florida Health and UnitedHealthcare parted ways after those network contract negotiations failed. It’s a …
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A measles outbreak in Texas grew to 58 cases over the course of about a month as of February 18, 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first 2 cases were detected in January. As of this week, the vast majority of cases were reported in Gaines County. All but 4 cases involve either unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, according to the department, and confirmed cases are primarily …
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Advocate Health Care will close all 47 of its Illinois urgent care centers that operate inside Walgreens retail pharmacy stores as well as several in Wisconsin, according to a statement from Advocate Health Care as reported by NBC. Company leaders made the decision to instead focus on virtual care and urgent care in other community locations. The clinics will close next week. Advocate—the largest health system in Illinois and the 3rd largest nonprofit system in …
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As multiple wildfires consumed homes, vehicles, and expansive acreage in Southern California in recent days, thick smoke blanketed the sky, causing health concerns for many in the area. Small particles in the air—which hang around for long periods of time even after the fires are out—can cause respiratory issues and chest pain as well as burning eyes and headaches. Children, elderly people, those with respiratory or heart conditions, and people with compromised immune systems, may …
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A patient who had been hospitalized with a human case of severe avian influenza (H5N1) in the United States has died, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The patient was over the age of 65 and was also reported to have underlying medical conditions. No additional H5N1 cases nor evidence of person-to-person transmission was reported. The patient contracted H5N1 after exposure to wild birds. As of January 7, 2025, there were 66 human cases …
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The final respiratory illness data for the last week of 2024 (ending December 28) show that influenza is trending ahead of both COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus among children and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a hospitalization rate of 4.3 per 100,000. Flu’s positivity rate was up 18.7% over the previous week, and the overall percentage of emergency department visits with a discharge diagnosis of influenza was 5.2%—compared to …
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