Category: Cost and Quality

Superstar Athletes Popularize Unproven Stem Cell Procedures

Treatments for baseball pitcher Max Scherzer and other pros may mislead fans about costly, controversial, unapproved stem cell shots.

If You Smoke Pot, Your Anesthesiologist Needs To Know

Colorado is on the front lines in dealing with how marijuana use affects surgery. Lessons learned on operating tables and in recovery rooms have prompted calls for more research on marijuana nationwide.

Infusion Treatments For Low Iron Can Deplete Patients’ Wallets

When it comes to physician-administered infusion drugs, doctors sometimes have a financial reason for their choice and patients often aren’t aware of cheaper options.

The Talk Seniors Need To Have With Doctors Before Surgery

Surgeons are rethinking the old notions of “informed consent.” With older patients especially, a push is on to talk candidly about what a surgery will do, its risks and how it will affect their quality of life.

Biden-Harris Debate Rematch Highlights Health Plan Differences 

The Wednesday night event marked the second night in a row for Democratic presidential hopefuls to stake claims on how to fix the health care system.

Genetic-Testing Scam Targets Seniors And Rips Off Medicare

Capitalizing on the growing popularity of genetic testing — and fears of terminal illness — scammers are persuading seniors to hand over cheek swabs with their DNA, not knowing it may lead to identity theft and Medicare fraud.

This Indiana Clinic Has Patient-Care Stats Worth Bragging About

A small health center in Goshen, Ind., near the border with Michigan, puts “listening to patients’ stories” first. “The rest is housekeeping.”

Doctor Alexa Will See You Now: Is Amazon Primed To Come To Your Rescue?

Amazon, along with a host of other technology companies, is working on ways to use its smart speaker devices to bring a range of health care services into your home.

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.

Now They Owe $0 — Half-Million-Dollar Dialysis Bill Canceled

After reporting by KHN, NPR and CBS, Fresenius has agreed to waive a Montana man’s huge bill for out-of-network dialysis care.