Tic disorder

Highmark Health and Spring Health Collaborate to Launch My Highmark's Mental Well-Being Powered by Spring Health

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Health and Spring Health today announced their collaboration to expand the number of access points to behavioral health care by 40 percent for Highmark insurance members, including children and teens. Highmark's Mental Well-Being powered by Spring Health will offer multiple levels of support: digital capabilities for daily wellness, one-on-one care navigation, deeper clinical care through in-person or virtual therapy, medication management, and 24/7 crisis support.

Key Points: 
  • "Together, Highmark Health and Spring Health are advancing the future state of mental and behavioral health," said Anil Singh, MD, MPH, FCC, senior vice president, executive medical director of population and curated health, Highmark Health.
  • Mental Well-Being is powered by Spring Health, the most comprehensive global mental health solution for employers and health plans, and provides members with access to therapy and medication management appointments in an average of three days or less.
  • "Spring Health's precision technology is changing the mental health paradigm," said Adam Chekroud, PhD, president and co-founder, Spring Health.
  • Mental Well-Being powered by Spring Health will be available to health plan members through the My Highmark member platform.

How Education Fits Into Eating Disorder Treatment for School-Aged Patients

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 6, 2023

CHESTER, N.J., Oct. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that continuing to advance a student's education can be challenging during residential treatment. At Hidden River, we understand the importance of schooling for our middle school and high school patients and remain committed to their academic success. 

Key Points: 
  • CHESTER, N.J., Oct. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's no secret that continuing to advance a student's education can be challenging during residential treatment.
  • LearnWell provides on-site, custom educational programs to meet the needs of school-age students during eating disorder treatment at Hidden River.
  • During residential eating disorder treatment, many patients struggle with co-occuring mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, that may impact their schooling needs.
  • Beyond ensuring that individual patients reach future educational goals, there are many benefits to including a school component with eating disorder treatment.

Talkiatry Earns ACCME® Accreditation, Expands Continuing Medical Education Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

National in-network psychiatric practice recognized by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, underscoring its dedication to enhancing professional development for its clinical talent base

Key Points: 
  • National in-network psychiatric practice recognized by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, underscoring its dedication to enhancing professional development for its clinical talent base
    CME program establishes Talkiatry as an intellectually stimulating place to work for clinicians focused on personal and professional growth, combining the benefits of academic institution and private practice career tracks
    Patients benefit from engaged clinical workforce using most up-to-date medical practices, while working at the top of their license
    NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talkiatry today announced the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has awarded MCCD Psychiatry, the medical affiliate of Talkiatry Provisional Accreditation as a provider of continuing medical education (CME).
  • This accreditation assures the medical community and the public that Talkiatry's 300+ staff psychiatrists receive relevant education that's evidence-based, evaluated for effectiveness, and independent of commercial influence.
  • Post-activity evaluations help measure the impact of the programs and serve to continually improve the quality of Talkiatry's CME Program.
  • Many medical boards and specialty organizations require clinicians to earn a certain number of credits to maintain their medical licensure and specialty certifications.

7wireVentures Launches $217+ Million Growth & Opportunity Fund

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

7wireVentures, one of the country’s leading digital health venture capital firms, today announced the successful completion of a $217 million Growth & Opportunity “GO” Fund, its largest to date.

Key Points: 
  • 7wireVentures, one of the country’s leading digital health venture capital firms, today announced the successful completion of a $217 million Growth & Opportunity “GO” Fund, its largest to date.
  • The closing of the $217 million GO Fund brings the Firm’s AUM to over $500M.
  • Joined by Partners Robert Garber and Alyssa Jaffee , 7wireVentures provides a unique array of sector and operational experience, and deep industry relationships driving enhanced growth across the Firm’s portfolio.
  • “We are excited to announce the successful closing of our new Growth & Opportunity Fund – affirming investors’ continuing belief in our consumer-driven digital health approach,” said Managing Partner, Glen Tullman.

FTC Staff Submit Comment Supporting Proposed Amendments to Regulations Implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

Staff in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.

Key Points: 
  • Staff in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
  • The comment further details how the FTC has used additional enforcement tools included in the 2018 Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act (OARFPA) to combat SUD treatment scams.
  • The comment noted that the proposed amendments strike the right balance between leaving intact previous enforcement systems while promoting better insurance coverage for SUD treatment.
  • Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

FTC Staff Submit Comment Supporting Proposed Amendments to Regulations Implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

Staff in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.

Key Points: 
  • Staff in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
  • The comment further details how the FTC has used additional enforcement tools included in the 2018 Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act (OARFPA) to combat SUD treatment scams.
  • The comment noted that the proposed amendments strike the right balance between leaving intact previous enforcement systems while promoting better insurance coverage for SUD treatment.
  • Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

Bend Health Joins Evernorth's Behavioral Health Network, Expanding Access to Pediatric and Teen Mental Health Care

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bend Health, Inc. ("Bend"), a leading national, virtual pediatric behavioral care provider, today announced its coaching, therapy and psychiatry services are available as an in-network benefit through Evernorth Health Services, the pharmacy, care and benefits solutions division of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI). 

Key Points: 
  • Specifically, the company's preventative coaching service is designed to address everyday challenges and mental health concerns to build resilience for kids, teens and caregivers.
  • "Not only that, but at Bend Health we measure what symptoms are occurring when a child, teen or caregiver comes to us for help.
  • Like monitoring blood pressure for hypertension, measuring mental health symptoms while in care allows Bend practitioners to personalize interventions to help kids and teens get better faster.
  • Bend Health is in-network in select states for over 250 million lives through Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareSource, Cigna, Molina, MultiPlan, Optum Behavioral Health, Surest, and other health insurers.

Joint Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses - Latest National Data on Substance-Related Harms

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023

This release provides an update on data collected from January to March 2023 and builds on historical data that has been collected every quarter since 2016.

Key Points: 
  • This release provides an update on data collected from January to March 2023 and builds on historical data that has been collected every quarter since 2016.
  • These latest data suggest that in Canada between January and March 2023, there were 1,904 opioid-related deaths – or an average of 21 deaths per day.
  • This represents a similar mortality rate to what has been observed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number of opioid-related deaths increased.
  • The report highlights that repeat interactions with the healthcare system could provide opportunities to support individuals experiencing substance-related harms.

What do people think about when they go to sleep?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

You’re lying in bed, trying to fall asleep but the racing thoughts won’t stop.

Key Points: 
  • You’re lying in bed, trying to fall asleep but the racing thoughts won’t stop.
  • Instead, your brain is busy making detailed plans for the next day, replaying embarrassing moments (“why did I say that?”), or producing seemingly random thoughts (“where is my birth certificate?”).
  • Does what we think about before bed influence how we sleep?

How you think in bed affects how you sleep

    • It turns out people who sleep well and those who sleep poorly have different kinds of thoughts before bed.
    • Good sleepers report experiencing mostly visual sensory images as they drift to sleep – seeing people and objects, and having dream-like experiences.
    • People with insomnia are also more likely to stress about sleep as they’re trying to sleep, leading to a vicious cycle; putting effort into sleep actually wakes you up more.
    • The researchers found higher levels of binge viewing were associated with poorer sleep quality, more fatigue, and increased insomnia symptoms.

What is cognitive refocusing?

    • Cognitive refocusing, developed by US psychology researcher Les Gellis, involves distracting yourself with pleasant thoughts before bed.
    • Pick an engaging cognitive task with enough scope and breadth to maintain your interest and attention – without causing emotional or physical arousal.
    • One study of people with insomnia found those who tried cognitive refocusing had significant improvements in insomnia symptoms compared to a control group.

How ancient wisdom can help us sleep

    • Meditation practice can increase our self-awareness and make us more aware of our thoughts.
    • Mindfulness training can help us recognise when we’re getting into a rumination spiral and allow us to sit back, almost like a passive observer.
    • It may also help people with psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia get more sleep.

What can help ease your pre-sleep thoughts?

    • Have a consistent bedtime, reduce technology use in the evening, and do regular exercise during the day.
    • Pick a “fake scenario” that will hold your attention but not be too scary or exciting.


    Read more:
    Why do we wake around 3am and dwell on our fears and shortcomings?

    Melinda Jackson receives funding from NHMRC, Brain Foundation and Dementia Australia.

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation Provides $1.2M in Grants to Address Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders in California

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation , has awarded $1.2 million in substance use disorder grants to five California-based organizations.

Key Points: 
  • The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation , has awarded $1.2 million in substance use disorder grants to five California-based organizations.
  • The multi-year grants will help those experiencing mental health and substance use disorders transition from treatment, incarceration, or other high-risk settings to stable housing environments and provide access to evidence-based resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery in Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco counties.
  • “Substance use disorder continues to be a public health challenge that’s taking too big of a toll in our communities here in the Golden State,” said Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plan President Beth Andersen.
  • These grants are part of up to $30 million the Elevance Health Foundation plans to invest through 2024 – with more than $2 million currently invested in California – to make significant progress toward reducing substance use disorders and their health impacts.