Search results for

An analysis just published in the policy journal Health Affairs questions a widely held belief that doctors in McAllen, Texas, overtreat all patients.

Hospitals that treat many poor people face challenges in managing their care. The problem is compounded by the fact that the same hospitals often have fewer resources at their disposal.

To attract and keep new patients, hospitals are offering a range of special benefits, including free or low-cost health screenings and educational sessions on diet and exercise. There's also free valet parking for a lucky few.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health plans that spend too much on administrative costs instead of medical care are required to offer rebates to customers. Some states, such as Texas, aren't ready for this change just yet.

Starting this year, many Americans may be surprised to find that their local Walgreens or Duane Reade is no longer in their insurance network. That's because of a dispute between two health care giants. If the back of your insurance card says Express Scripts, you are affected.

About half of African-American women in the U.S. are obese, compared to 30 percent of white women. Black women not only carry more weight, but they start piling on extra pounds years before their white counterparts. Around age 8 or 9, girls become less active, and the decline is steepest for black girls.

Amid last year's debate over the federal health overhaul, the American Medical Association was the biggest spender for lobbying operations among health care groups. Overall, though, the top 10 health care players spent 9 percent less than they did the year before.

Only about a quarter of adults have advance directives in place. On the relatively infrequent occasions when people do sign advance directives, they're usually thinking about what they would want in a crisis rather than for a chronic illness.

Researchers say testing everyone in the country at least once a year could reduce HIV infections, but it would be costly. Even so, advocates say it would be money well spent.

To reduce the odds a patient will have to return to the hospital, some health systems are trying to do a better job coordinating care. Starting in 2012, the federal health law will penalize hospitals for excess readmissions for some conditions.