Speaking of the miraculous and the power of the mind….

I have been accused of many things in my life but never have I been accused of  being a good speller. I think that the "story" above accounts for the ability to read many of the instant messages that come from friends. A letter or two transposed will still be understandable

 Thought you folks would appreciate this.

The Amazing Human Mind

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was radnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt !.!.!

Milliman and Asoc picked a good example…. high blood pressure. It appears that the savings form prevention of heart attack or stroke is enough to pay for the drugs. Medicare drug benefit due to kick in 15 months from now will take away some of the excuses for not taking the drugs…. we will never see 100% compliance as long as drugs have side effects. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=571&e=18&u=/nm/20040914/hl_nm/health_heart_pressure_dc

This goes along with the "therapy that pays for itself" arguments. One reader took a broader view of the smoking cessation/weight reduction exclusions in self funded employer plans. When I pressed for more documentation that this might be worth the increase in drug spend I was sent this link… http://www.ncpreventionpartners.org/preventionforbusinesses/Insurance_Guide.pdf

Seems like it is being studies with one state estimating the cost of obesity, smoking and inactivity at $5000 per employee per year. (about $1500 per problem).  Last time I checked, a course of prescription drugs for smoking cessation cost about $600 and the average person required 6 attempts over 18 months to kick the habit. The saving would only be realized if the smoker STAYED a non-smoker. {Probably not a good return on investment if employee turnover is large] If you read the abstracts you will find that these wellness programs with a support aspect. I'll keep looking for evidence that age old restrictions be lifted……. Until then….no change is suggested. But wellness projects are encouraged…. just keep track of your data and share the results with others.

Speaking of seniors and drug cards….The "Lower Cost Rx Comparison Tool" -- accessible at www.Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE --announced by CMS. Sounds like the government is offering lower cost alternatives within a class of drugs… sort of a voluntary stepped therapy program where members see the savings.  I haven't had a chance to do too much looking around but it seems more accurate than the last time they launched a pricing site.

http://www.pharmalive.com/news/index.cfm?articleID=171774&categoryid=9&newsletter=1

This group of allergists seem to think so… (fancy that)… http://www.jcaai.org/param/drugs/preface.htm

Questions: "Name something that patients will not tell their physician…."

A lot of people are unaware of assistance that they may receive. Be sure to check out the PHARMWORKS home page for FREE drug access! 

See the article for a summary of the scientific article in the Archives Of Internal Medicine for Sept 13th.  (Probably an easier read that the true scientific report anyway…)

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/489250?src=mp 

All of the major antidepressants will now carry the warning so it will not be a marketing disadvantage. Some doctors are considering no longer prescribing the drugs for kids (Probably too radical). Truth is that anyone who starts antidepressant medications of any class should be watched.

http://www.azcentral.com/health/news/articles/0914Antidepressants14-ON.html

fractures were down 28%. JAMA article attributes this to more bone formation. Did you know that there are TWO kinds of bone cells :osteoblasts form bone while osteoclasts resorb bone.  we need both type of cells to keep a healthy bones but it appears beta blockers, with or without diuretics, help). Probably a lot cheaper and safer than estrogens or bisphosphonates.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&ncid=594&e=7&u=/nm/20040914/hl_nm/heart_drug_dc