ISSUE 14: OCTOBER 2025 

 

A wide mix of topics this month—and the most time-sensitive ones are right at the top!

 

Open Enrollment: Premiums are climbing and benefits shrinking. Here’s how to choose smarter for 2026.

Red Light Therapy: It’s glowing and trending—but does it actually work? Let’s look at the science.

Sinusitis: Think antibiotics will fix it? Think again.

Chiropractors: I’ve always been skeptical…until now?

Menopause: You can’t skip it—but you can take control.

Homelessness: It’s not about “them”—it’s about all of us. Here’s what to do when you meet someone without housing.

Autism: Tired of the Tylenol debate? Me too—but here’s what the evidence really says.

 

Learn something new—and something that helps you Speak Up For Your Health.
Links are in bold, red, and underlined. Thanks for reading!

Open enrollment for 2026 health insurance is even more painful than I thought it would be. In a conversation with a broker earlier this week, he said he was delivering some premium increases as high as 50%. Ouch! Fortunately, the averages are a bit lower: 

 

Individual plans (ACA exchanges) are up 26%

Employer-based plans are up 6%

 

It's becoming so expensive that you may be tempted to drop your insurance. But please avoid that if you can. Here are some ideas to get the cost down:  

 

Switch tiers. If you buy your plan on an exchange, consider a lower-tier (bronze) option. This can save families about $200 a month.

Trade premium for deductible. Choosing a lower premium/higher deductible plan can make sense if you’re relatively healthy. Just make sure to set aside funds for any care costs that counts toward your deductible.

Talk to a broker. A good broker might help you navigate your options to find a plan that balances coverage and cost.

Medicare Advantage: Look Beyond the “Average”

Nationally, 2026 premiums for Medicare Advantage plans appear flat—but the devil’s in the details. That’s just the average. In reality, premiums are rising in 19 states, including Minnesota, where enrollees will see an 18% increase. 

 

Review before you renew. Make sure your doctors and hospitals are still in-network—out-of-network care can be shockingly expensive.

Look beyond the premium. Co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles add up fast. Try to estimate how much care you’ll need next year and calculate your total costs.

Don’t be dazzled by extras. Dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits are nice, but premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums have a much bigger impact on your wallet.

Consider enrolling in Traditional Medicare. It's more expensive but gives you more choice and involves less hassle. 

Red light therapy is showing up everywhere—from spas and gyms to dermatology and chiropractic clinics—promising benefits for everything from acne and arthritis to mood and memory. I've been tempted to try it so I looked into what's hype and what's real. 

 

What’s proven: There's moderate evidence that red light therapy has a positive effect on hair regrowth and joint pain relief (like knee arthritis or TMJ).
What’s uncertain: It's unclear whether it helps with skin rejuvenation and wound healing.
What’s not supported: #Nope. No current evidence that red light therapy delays dementia or improves longevity.

 

Home devices are generally safe, but the results depend on consistency and device quality. You can watch the segment here

Sinus infections affect about 1 in 8 adults every year, and the symptoms are painful. But new guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat specialists) say that most cases don’t need antibiotics. That’s because over 90% of sinus infections are viral, not bacterial. 

 

Antibiotics be considered when symptoms last more than 10 days (or get significantly worse after improving). And, no…you don't need an x-ray to see if you have sinusitis. The symptoms are enough for an accurate diagnosis.

 

So what do you do when you are clutching your face from discomfort?  Try saline rinses, decongestants, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, or pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Bottom line: patience, not antibiotics, is the best approach for most sinus infections. Watch the segment here. 

I’ve always been skeptical of chiropractic care. I’ve seen it help with back pain, but I’ve also heard too many stories of chiropractors claiming to treat asthma or high blood pressure—conditions where there’s simply no science.

But after a candid conversation with Dr. Scott Salita, a longtime chiropractor and former member of the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners, my view softened…a little. We agreed there are skilled, evidence-based chiropractors who help patients safely—and others who go far beyond their scope. The problem is that patients can’t always tell the difference.

 

Here’s where I landed: consider chiropractic care for back or neck pain, but do your homework. Beyond that: buyer beware. And, on that note, if  a chiropractor sells long-term packages without a clear plan for improvement—walk away. 

You can listen to our conversation here. 

 

Menopause: The Conversation Women Deserve

Minnesota Live dedicated an entire show to menopause. It was great since host, Megan Newquist is experiencing symptoms herself and her co-host Chris Egert is the partner of someone experiencing symptoms. I'll link to all the segments from the show but here's some tidbits: 

Part 1 – How Long Do Menopause Symptoms Last? 
On average, hot flashes last for 4 years after the last menstrual period. But some symptoms (vaginal dryness, low libido) can last forever. Listen to Part 1 here. 

Part 2 – Should You Check Your Hormone Levels?
Nope. Hormone levels fluctuate wildly during perimenopause, so testing doesn’t actually clarify much. Listen to Part 2 here. 

Part 3 – What’s the Bigger Health Impact?
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes. When estrogen drops, so does protection for the heart, bones, and muscles which is why a woman's risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and falls increases significantly. Listen to part 3 here. 

Homelessness: Seeing the People, Not the Problem

Have you ever wondered what to do if you encounter someone who is homeless on the street or at a red light? I sat down with Pam Axberg, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, and her advice was simple: offer food—because “hope begins with a meal.”

Each night, nearly 750,000 Americans experience homelessness, and Pam reminded me that people without housing are often just like us. They are parents, workers, and veterans who’ve faced crises such as job loss, mental illness, or addiction. Half are families with children. The biggest drivers she sees are mental health struggles and substance abuse, often worsened by the loss of a support network.

And perhaps the most sobering reminder: we are all one crisis away from not having a stable place to live. Here's a link to the podcast. 

Autism and Tylenol: Sorting Fact from Fear

I’ve covered this topic three times now—and honestly, I’m tired of it. But it’s too important to ignore. After recent political statements linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, confusion has spread faster than facts.

Here’s the truth: no studies show that acetaminophen causes autism. Some small, observational studies have found weak associations, but the largest research—including a 2024 Swedish study of 2.5 million children—found no link once genetics and other factors were considered. Meanwhile, untreated fever in pregnancy actually does increase risks to the baby, so avoiding medication can be dangerous.

 

In my conversation with Diane Cross, CEO of Fraser, we focused on what truly matters—supporting children and families. Autism is complex, with genetics as the strongest factor, and growing awareness has expanded the definition, not the disease itself. The takeaway: don’t blame yourself, don’t believe every headline, and seek credible information from providers who know the science. Here is a link to the news segment as well as the podcast with Diane. 

 You can find previous editions of ArcHealth on my website. 

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.