Hello Everyone! Thank you to everyone who read the November newsletter. The audience continues to grow and I appreciate it! Here are the stories and topics in this month's newsletter: - Only 12% of people have ever tried GLP-1 (Ozempic-like) drugs but it's very likely we'll see more individuals having access to and using these medications in the next few years.
- Second medical opinions are almost always a good idea. But, too often, people don't get them because they are difficult to arrange within a reasonable period of time. The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic offers a high quality virtual service that may be an excellent option.
- Pursuing legal guardianship for an individual should be a last resort. But, when the guardian uses their authority properly, it can make it health advocacy a lot easier.
- The “secrets of longevity” in the Blue Zones continues to fascinate audiences. I was invited to Kansas to share my experiences from my travels to Ikaria, Greece.
But, before jumping into these new stories…I'll start with an update on David's (my husband) prior authorization debacle. Spoiler: it's still a debacle. PS: Links are red, underlined, and bolded. |
|
UPDATE: DAVID'S Prior Authorization Denial |
|
Quick Recap: David was my podcast guest in October. He talked about the difficulty in getting an osteoporosis medication prescribed to him in June. It took until October to find out the medication was denied. While frustrated that it was denied, David was FUMING that he couldn't get a copy of the health insurer's denial letter. (It's a patient's right to get this!) Update: - October 24: After multiple phone calls (and yes, threats to go to the Attorney General's office), the infusion center “suddenly” found the denial letter sent to them by Medica, the insurer, a month earlier! Since the rationale for the denial was reasonable (the drug wasn't FDA approved for men with osteoporosis), David did not appeal.
- October 31: The endocrinologist submitted a new request for a similar osteoporosis drug that IS approved for men.
- December 10 (today): The infusion center doesn't seem to have sent the authorization request to the health insurance company so the new medication still isn't approved.
It's been 6 months since David was supposed to start medication for his severe osteoporosis AND we have no visibility to when the approval will come through. In this situation, it's not the insurer's fault. The bottleneck is with the provider/infusion center. Stay posted for more updates. |
|
Expanded USE & Access for Weight Loss Drugs |
|
I often get asked what I think of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound. My opinion: Used appropriately, this drug class is the most important advancement we've had in public health since the discovery of antibiotics. In this KSTP segment, I showed why 137 million American adults may benefit from these medications and why that number even more people will be on these medications over the next few years. |
|
THinking About Getting a 2nd Opinion? Get One. |
|
Last month, I went to the HLTH conference in Las Vegas. It's a spectacle event with over 13,000 healthcare leaders and innovators from all areas of the healthcare ecosystem. I attended as a podcaster and interviewed Frank McGillin, the CEO of The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic. This is a service patients can use to get a second opinion by an expert at the Cleveland Clinic, and it's all done virtually. Frank talked about how The Clinic provides services and, whether you get a second opinion there or elsewhere, how to have peace of mind that your diagnosis is correct. Here's a link to the interview. |
|
Guardianship AS An advocacy Tool |
|
When I hear "legal guardianship," it’s easy to think of the negative headlines. Remember the #FreeBritney movement? It exposed how these arrangements can be misused. So, when I met Juston White and learned he was the legal guardian for his older sister Misty, I hesitated. But then I heard the story. Misty developed a rapidly progressive, debilitating form of multiple sclerosis, and Juston not only became her healthcare power of attorney, he became her legal guardian so that he could fully advocate and mobilize the resources she needed. Key takeaway: While guardianship should always be a last resort, it can be a vital tool when used appropriately and with compassion. You can listen to Juston's story here. |
|
A Blue Zone Lifestyle starts with YOUR Mindset |
|
In September, I was invited to Wichita and Manhattan (Kansas…not New York) to talk about my experiences in Ikaria, Greece. Ikaria is one of the five original Blue Zones and my first trip was with Dan Buettner and the National Geographic Expedition Team. Since then, I have been to Ikaria several times and it feels like home. My daughter, Arielle, and her husband, Alex, even got married there. I've come to realize that the “secrets of longevity” are not limited to people who live in Ikaria (or Sardinia, Nicoya, Okinawa, or Loma Linda). They are accessible to people who have a longevity mindset. A local reporter did a really nice job of summarizing my talk as well as including some great recipes. You can read the article here. |
|
Thanks for reading. You can find previous editions of ArcHealth on my website. |
|
Until next month, Archelle |
|
P.O. Box 91
Hopkins, MN 55343, USA |
|
|
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. |
|
|
