Report: Medicare should cover nutritional counseling for chronic conditions
Dec 20, 2011
Medicare should reimburse for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) — or consultations with a registered dietician — to prevent and treat chronic health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, cancer and...
Obesity may make flu vaccine less effective, study suggests
Nov 02, 2011
Being obese may increase the risk of coming down with the flu, even after receiving a flu vaccine, new research suggests.
Current healthcare costs can’t be maintained, administration official says
Sep 12, 2011
Current U.S. healthcare costs are unsustainably high for the relative value being provided — particularly for low-income individuals —Donald Berwick, M.D., administrator of the Centers for Medicare...
CMS to cover behavioral therapy for obesity
Sep 07, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed covering intensive behavioral therapy for obese individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B.
Baby boomers struggle more with weight, exercise less than other generations, survey finds
Jul 22, 2011
Baby boomers are struggling with obesity more than other generations, with two-thirds being either overweight or obese, a new survey suggests. That’s bad news for Medicare costs, and those who have...
Governor proposes $50 fee for obese Medicaid recipients
Apr 06, 2011
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) has proposed enacting an annual $50 surcharge for obese Medicaid enrollees, a move she says would help Arizona’s financially troubled Medicaid program.
Researchers: obese seniors need exercise, diet
Apr 04, 2011
A new study shows those over 65 should continue with diet and exercise, dispelling a traditional belief that weight loss can cause the elderly to lose muscle and bone mass.
Shorter lifespans, less quality of life found for those obese and with osteoarthritis of the knee
Feb 17, 2011
Close to 40% of elderly Americans are obese or have osteoarthritis of the knee, or both, which, on average, eliminates 3.5 years of a positive quality of life for seniors, according to new research.
Study: U.S. healthcare system to blame for flagging life expectancy rates
Oct 11, 2010
Gains in life expectancy for U.S. citizens continue to lag behind those in other countries. Perhaps surprisingly, the usual suspects—obesity, smoking and other factors—are not the cause, according...
AAHSA ready to embrace change
By
Liza Berger
Jul 01, 2010
So, it’s been (nearly) determined. The new name for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging is, drum roll please, LeadingAge.