Author – The Durango Herald

Open wide: U.S. dentists quickly rebuild after virus shutdown

U.S. dental offices are quickly bouncing back, but it won’t be business as usual. Expect social distancing, layers of protective gear and a new approach to some procedures to guard against c...

DATE: Jun 24, 2020 | CATEGORY: Health

Doctors turn to thumbs for diagnosis and treatment by text

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Dr. Anna Nguyen spoke with none of the five patients she treated on a recent weekday morning. She didn’t even leave her dining room. The emergency physician n...

DATE: Oct 9, 2019 | CATEGORY: Health

Hurry up and wait: Doctors say insurers increasingly interfere

After Kim Lauerman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, doctors wanted to give her a drug that helps prevent infections and fever during chemotherapy. Her insurer said no. Anthem Bl...

DATE: Aug 1, 2019 | CATEGORY: Health

Telemedicine’s challenge: Getting patients to click the app

Walmart workers can now see a doctor for only $4. The catch? It has to be a virtual visit. The retail giant recently rolled back the $40 price on telemedicine, becoming the latest...

DATE: Feb 6, 2019 | CATEGORY: Health

Health insurance on demand? Some are betting on it

People with health insurance often pay for coverage they never use. A startup wants to shake that up. It’s a radical idea: On-demand insurance that lets customers buy some of thei...

DATE: Dec 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: Health

Health care industry branches into fresh meals, rides to gym

That hot lunch delivered to your door? Your health insurer might pick up the tab. The cleaning crew that fixed up your apartment while you recovered from a stroke? The hospital st...

DATE: Jul 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: Health

Many cancer patients juggle care along with financial pain

Josephine Rizo survived chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, but breast cancer treatment wrecked her finances. Money was already tight when doctors told the Phoenix resident she h...

DATE: May 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: Health

Study: Medical bankruptcies may not be as common as thought

Medical bills can push patients over the financial cliff, but a new study says this may not happen as often as previous research suggests. Hospitalizations cause only about 4 perc...

DATE: Mar 27, 2018 | CATEGORY: Health

Is it an emergency? Insurer makes patients question ER visit

INDIANAPOLIS – Alison Wrenne was making waffles for her two young children one morning when abdominal pain forced her to the floor. A neighbor who is a physician assistant urged her to go to...

DATE: Nov 9, 2017 | CATEGORY: Health

Buyer beware: Long-term care costs are surging

Long-term care costs are surging again and the most expensive option — a private nursing home room — may soon top $100,000 per year. Growing labor expenses and sicker patients hel...

DATE: Sep 26, 2017 | CATEGORY: Health

Insurers continue to hike prices, abandon ACA markets

WASHINGTON – People shopping for insurance through the Affordable Care Act in yet more regions could face higher prices and fewer choices next year as insurance companies lay out their early...

DATE: May 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: Nation & World

Anthem gives up Cigna bid, vows to fight on over damages

INDIANAPOLIS – Anthem has ended its soured, $48 billion bid to buy rival Cigna, but the nation’s second-largest health insurer isn’t giving up a fight over whether Cigna deserves a terminati...

DATE: May 12, 2017 | CATEGORY: Nation & World