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When that supposedly free annual physical generates a bill

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Julie Appleby | (TNS) KFF Health NewsChristine Rogers of Wake Forest, North Carolina, didn’t hesitate when she was asked to fill out a routine mental health questionnaire during a checkup last November.Her answers on the form led her primary care doctor to ask about depression and her mood, and Rogers said she answered honestly.“It was a horrible year. I lost my mom,” Rogers said she told her physician.After what Rogers estimates was a five-minute conversation about depression, the visit wrapped up. She said her doctor did not recommend treatment nor refer her for counseling.“It’s not like anything I told her triggered, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m going to prescribe you medication,’” she said.Then the bill came.The Patient: Christine Rogers, 60, a public relations/communications worker who is insured by Cigna Healthcare through her job.Medical Services: An annual wellness visit, which included typical blood tests, as well as a depression screening and discussion with a physician.Service Pr...

Boston College looks to extend four-game win streak at Syracuse

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos sees “opportunities” to be had down field against the Syracuse defense.The Eagles (5-3, 2-2) will look to extend their four-game win streak and secure bowl eligibility when they take on last-place Syracuse (4-4, 0-4) on Friday night at JMA Wireless Arena.Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Miami are BC’s permanent ACC rivalry matches and all have previous ties to the old Big East football conference. BC is coming off a 21-14 non-league victory over UConn at Alumni Stadium on Saturday while Syracuse was pelted 38-10 at Virginia Tech.The Orangemen’s defensive numbers look promising for BC’s balanced offense. Syracuse is eighth in the league in scoring defense, allowing 24.1 points per game. But that number was inflated by the Orangemen’s four non-conference wins. Syracuse outscored its non-conference opponents, 177-43.Syracuse is 12th in total defense (399.0 ppg.), ninth in rushing defense (149.1 ypg.) and 13th in passing defense (250.0 ypg.) a...

Bruins notebook: Kevin Shattenkirk looking to pick up slack on power play

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

The Bruins were forced to go with a new-look defense on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs thanks to injuries (Matt Grzelcyk, upper body; Derek Forbort, lower body) and suspension (Charlie McAvoy), forcing some of the remaining stalwarts into new spots.While Hampus Lindholm bumped into the first penalty kill pairing with Brandon Carlo, taking over for Forbort, veteran Kevin Shattenkirk was expected to run the first power play unit in McAvoy’s absence.No stranger to the man advantage in his career, Shattenkirk was looking forward to getting the keys to the family car for a spin.“Obviously, big shoes to fill,” said Shattenkirk on Thursday morning. “Charlie’s been quarterbacking it and playing great. I think for me, it’s a matter of simplifying and making sure I’m not afraid to shoot the puck when my chance is there and just make the right play. It’s not something that you overthink.”Boston is the seventh stop on the 34-year-old Shattenkirk’s N...

Maryland football using viral Kevin James meme to distract opposing kickers: ‘There’s no free lunch’

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

“The King of Queens” has found a home in College Park.Kevin James, the actor of the aforementioned sitcom aired by CBS from 1998 to 2007, has become the faceof a meme that surged in popularity on social media during the summer. And his Q-rating among Maryland fans has only grown as administrators in the school’s athletic department have been displaying his meme during football games at SECU Stadium.Outlets such as USA Today’s For The Win and The Comeback have published articles on the Terps’ usage of the image of James, who is wearing a green flannel shirt and smirking/shrugging at the camera. The graphic — broadcast on one of two giant video screens when opposing kickers line up for field goal and extra point attempts — has even caught the attention of several players who are usually more focused on what is occurring on the field rather than off it.“I’ve noticed it,” redshirt sophomore running back Roman Hemby said. “...

Orioles’ Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander named Silver Slugger Award finalists

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

The hitters who occupied the top three spots in the Orioles’ lineup more than anyone else are all Silver Slugger Award finalists.On Thursday, catcher Adley Rutschman, infielder Gunnar Henderson and outfielder Anthony Santander were named American League finalists for an honor that recognizes the top offensive performer at each position. Henderson, who split his time at shortstop and third base, is a finalist for the utility award. The Silver Slugger winners will be announced Nov. 9 during a 6 p.m. telecast on MLB Network.In his first full major league season, Rutschman, 25, hit .277 with 20 home runs, an .809 OPS and 92 walks against 101 strikeouts. Rutschman led the other finalists, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, in hits, doubles, walks, average, on-base percentage and OPS.The former first-overall draft pick is also a finalist for the AL’s Gold Glove Award for catchers. The only Orioles catcher to win a Silver Slugger was Mickey Tett...

Recipe: Make this seafood chowder with fingerling potatoes

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Small potatoes have become the darlings of chic cuisine. Whether they are Baby Dutch Yellow beauties with their crisp golden flesh, or gnarly fingerling spuds that look like digits sprouted from the hand of a fairy-tale witch, they take up prime space in local supermarkets.They are delicious in chowder, adrift in a tasty bacon-y broth spiked with saffron and thyme. Halibut fillets are a delectable addition, added during the last few minutes of cooking.When entertaining, I’ve been known to make the broth in advance, then cool it and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Reheated to a simmer, the fish is added atop the mix, covered, and then cooked about 10 minutes or until just barely opaque. Scrumptious.Chowder With Saffron and Fingerling PotatoesYield: 6 servingsINGREDIENTS4 thick-cut slices bacon (about 1/4 pound), cut into thin crosswise strips1 1/2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green portions only, about 2 large leeks)3 (8-ounce) bottles clam juice1 pound fingerling potatoes o...

A lesson from a hacked healthcare provider: Keep track of your medical history

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Leslie Dengler wants to get her annual mammogram but she doesn’t have access to her previous images to compare the results.“I have a pre-existing cyst that seems like nothing, but they are watching it,” she said. “It’s crazy that I can’t get my records.”Nearly three weeks ago, Akumin, a multi-state, Plantation-based imaging company was hit with a ransomware attack and shut down its systems. The company provides services to as many as 2 million patients.  Dengler and others are still trying to access their electronic medical scans from Akumni’s 50 Florida imaging centers.When, and if,  Akumin’s medical files will be fully recovered remains in question.The situation has patients like Dengler contemplating whether they need to do a better job retaining their own personal medical history.Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting healthcare providers, often corrupting their data and demanding a fee to restore it. The last few years have seen a record number of hacking incidents at healt...

Chicago Bears Q&A: Why wasn’t an extension in place with Montez Sweat before the trade? Could Jaylon Johnson get the franchise tag?

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Another busy and tumultuous week for the Chicago Bears has seen a trade for defensive end Montez Sweat, a trade request from cornerback Jaylon Johnson, a second assistant coach leave the staff — and it all started with another blowout loss.Before the Bears get back on the field Sunday in New Orleans, the Tribune’s Brad Biggs digs deep into the weekly Bears mailbag.How close are the Bears and Montez Sweat to an extension and why didn’t Ryan Poles have one in place before trading significant draft capital for him? — @wrigleykordtIn a perfect world, the Bears would have finalized a new contract with Sweat before completing the trade with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday. However, a source with knowledge of the situation told me Washington did not grant Sweat’s representation permission to shop for a trade and new contract. That would have made it easier for the Bears and removed an element of risk in the deal. The Commanders also could have increased t...

Staff picks for Week 9 of 2023 NFL season: Dolphins vs. Chiefs, Cowboys vs. Eagles, Bills vs. Bengals and more

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Baltimore Sun staff writers pick every game of the NFL season. Here’s who they have winning in Week 9:Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m.)Brian Wacker (71-51 season; 13-3 last week): SteelersChilds Walker (77-45 season; 11-5 last week): SteelersMike Preston (68-54 season; 11-5 last week): SteelersC.J. Doon (78-44 season; 11-5 last week): SteelersTim Schwartz (75-47 season; 11-5 last week): TitansMiami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs in Germany (Sunday, 9:30 a.m.)Wacker: ChiefsWalker: ChiefsPreston: ChiefsDoon: DolphinsSchwartz: ChiefsMinnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: VikingsWalker: FalconsPreston: FalconsDoon: FalconsSchwartz: FalconsArizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: BrownsWalker: BrownsPreston: BrownsDoon: BrownsSchwartz: BrownsLos Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m.)Wacker: PackersWalker: RamsPreston: PackersDoon: PackersSchwartz: RamsTampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans (Sunday, ...

Fentanyl exposure during pregnancy is linked to a new medical syndrome in babies

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:11:30 GMT

Tom Avril and Aubrey Whelan | The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)PHILADELPHIA — The babies are born with small heads, underdeveloped jawbones, conjoined toes and rounded, “rocker-bottom” feet.Physicians at Nemours Children’s Health say they all have one thing in common: They were exposed in utero to significant amounts of fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid.In a new study, the authors say they’ve identified 10 such babies so far, describing their constellation of symptoms as a “novel syndrome associated with prenatal fentanyl exposure.”Six of the children were identified at Nemours clinics in Delaware. Four others were identified by physicians in California, Boston and Rhode Island who are coauthors of the study, published this fall in Genetics in Medicine Open.While illicit fentanyl use has been on the rise for years, no one had previously established a link between the drug and these birth defects. That’s likely because children born to parents who use the drug may not receiv...