Feds to reimburse providers for counseling patients to self-isolate
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Existing E/M codes can be used to bill for counseling patients about virus mitigation at the time of COVID-19 testing, according to CMS and the CDC.
Opioids still overprescribed in the ‘real world’ of joint replacement: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
There’s an upward trend in opioid prescriptions after joint replacement surgery, despite limited effectiveness and against federal, state and payer advice, researchers say.
Clinical Briefs for Friday, July 31
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 31, 2020
Testosterone therapy can lead to diabetes remission in men with related syndrome … Scientists reverse Alzheimer’s memory loss in mouse study … Gum health may play a role in dementia risk … Laughter...
Once is enough for bone density tests in older women, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 30, 2020
A repeat bone density test is not needed to predict fractures in postmenopausal women, osteoporosis researchers say.
Highly accurate Alzheimer’s blood test a ‘breakthrough,’ observers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 30, 2020
The experimental blood test rivals the accuracy of standard diagnostic methods and may soon prove to be a cost-effective, accessible tool in the clinical setting, according to some in the scientific community.
Frequent online socializing leads to better mental health in seniors
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 30, 2020
Older adults who went online daily and those who socialized via email were less likely to report depression and to experience poor life satisfaction than those who did not, say investigators.
Clinical Briefs for Thursday, July 30
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 30, 2020
Ears may harbor COVID-19; providers should take care in examinations … Decades of lowered hip fracture rates tied to changing lifestyle habits … Healthy diet lowers prostate cancer risk, study finds...
Masks protect the wearer and may lead to milder disease, experts claim
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 29, 2020
Most masks will block at least some coronavirus particles — staving off severe disease if exposure does occur, a new analysis suggests.
Delaying osteoporosis drug dose raises fracture risk
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 29, 2020
Delaying one twice-yearly dose of denosumab by four months increases the risk of vertebral fractures, a new study has found.
COVID-19 tied to lasting heart damage
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 29, 2020
A cardiac imaging study has revealed abnormal results in recovered patients. Ongoing heart muscle inflammation was evident regardless of apparent disease severity.