Health Headlines for Monday, August 22
AG: BlueShield illegally denied claims for mental, nutritional counseling
Albany Times Union
BlueShield of Northeastern New York and two sister organizations wrongfully denied $1.6 million in policyholders’ claims for psychotherapy and nutritional counseling, breaking state and federal laws that require insurers to cover mental health services on par with medical care, according to the office of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
How the Democrats Are Failing Obamacare
Slate
On May 20, about a month after UnitedHealthcare, one of the country’s major health insurers, announced that it would pull out of Arizona’s exchanges, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick wrote a letter asking for help.
Pfizer boosts cancer drug pipeline with $14 billion Medivation deal
Reuters
Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said on Monday it would buy U.S. cancer drug company Medivation Inc (MDVN.O) in a deal valued at about $14 billion, adding blockbuster prostate cancer drug Xtandi to its portfolio.
Zika could ‘hang around’ U.S. for year or two, NIH official says
Washington Post
A National Institutes of Health official said Sunday that the Zika virus could “hang around” the United States for a year or two.
State Medicaid overhaul brings dental care to a rural corner of New York
Politico
For years, when low-income people on Medicaid in rural Lewis County — an area of north-west New York that boasts more cows than people — needed routine teeth cleanings or a cavity filled, they’d have to drive to a neighboring county for treatment or wait until their dental problems were severe enough that they required a visit to the emergency room.