RevCycle Intelligence (11/21, LaPointe) reports, “A new analysis of data from over 1,300 hospitals and health systems by Syntellis Performance Solutions and the American Hospital Association…found a nearly 56% increase in Medicare Advantage denials from January 2022 to July 2023.” In “that period, commercial denials also increased for hospitals nationwide.” These denials increased “by about 20%.”

Related Links:

— “Medicare Advantage Denials Jump 56%, Commercial Denials 20%,”Jacqueline LaPointe , RevCycle Intelligence , November 21, 2023

HealthDay (11/21, Miller) says that a study indicated that “teen boys who reported two or more concussions in the past year were two times more likely to report a suicide attempt than those who had one concussion.” Meanwhile, “girls’ odds for suicidal behaviors were similar regardless of concussion history.” The researchwas published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

Related Links:

— “Teens With Multiple Concussions Face Higher Risk of Suicidal Thoughts,”Carole Tanzer Miller, HealthDay, November 21, 2023

HealthDay (11/21, Thompson, Miller) says, “Genetics could explain why some people can’t stop smoking weed, a…study reports. Analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has revealed dozens of genetic variants linked to cannabis use disorder, according to the Yale-led research team.” These “variants also are associated with a variety of behavioral and health issues linked to cannabis use disorder – and possibly even an elevated risk of lung cancer.” Prior studies have “shown that about a third of people who use marijuana develop cannabis use disorder, which is defined as a pattern of cannabis use that impairs a person’s daily life.” The study was published in Nature Genetics.

Related Links:

— “Genome Study Explains Marijuana’s Habit-Forming Potential,”Dennis Thompson, Carole Tanzer Miller, HealthDay , November 21, 2023

MedPage Today (11/20, Monaco) reports, “Children of parents with infertility had a slightly higher rate of autism spectrum disorder, a population-based cohort study of over 1.3 million children found.” Investigators found that “compared with children born from unassisted conception, parents who experienced subfertility but didn’t undergo fertility treatment had children with a 20% higher risk of autism.” The findingswere published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Psychiatric News (11/20) reports the “APA released a statement…commemorating the life and legacy of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 96.” During “her public service career, Mrs. Carter worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people with mental illness and substance use disorders.” The statement says, “She used her bully pulpit to bring the conversation about mental health out from the darkness and advocate for a more comprehensive system of care.”

Related Links:

— “APA Remembers the Mental Health Legacy of Rosalynn Carter, Psychiatric News, November 20, 2023