The Wall Street Journal (9/30, Mathews, Whelan, Subscription Publication) reports that physicians and hospitals say the complicated rules and differing approaches adopted by major health insurers in coverage or remote healthcare are creating confusion among healthcare professionals and a potentially increased financial burden for patients who opt for telehealth consultations.

Related Links:

— “As Covid-19 Cases Rise, Insurers Reduce Coverage for Virtual Doctors’ Visits “Anna Wilde Mathews and Robbie Whelan, The Wall Street Journal, September 30, 2020

Medical Daily (9/30, Nelson) reports many children who need mental healthcare appear not to be getting it, investigators concluded after reviewing “over 200,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance claims for kids aged 10 to 17.” The study revealed that “one in 10 had a claim related to mental health care between 2012 and 2018,” but “only 71% of those kids received follow-up treatment after the insurance claim.” The findings were published online Sept. 29 in PNAS.

Related Links:

— “Kids Need Mental Health Care, But They’re Not Getting It “Jennifer Nelson, Medical Daily, September 30, 2020

HealthDay (9/30, Thompson) reports, “People suffering from a psychiatric disorder could be more than twice as likely to die if they become infected with COVID-19,” investigators concluded after tracking “the health of 1,685 patients hospitalized at Yale New Haven Health, a five-hospital system in Connecticut, between February and April.”
        
MedPage Today (9/30, Hlavinka) reports, “the risk was higher among patients with a psychiatric diagnosis at two weeks after their index hospitalization (35.7% vs 14.7%), as well as at three weeks (40.9% vs 22.2%) and 4 weeks (44.8% vs 31.5%).” The findings were published online in a research letter published online Sept. 30 in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Mental Health Issues Double the Odds of Dying With COVID-19, Study Finds “Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, September 30, 2020

The New York Times (9/29, Swift, Goodnough) reports since the COVID-19 pandemic began, opioid-related deaths have increased in more than 40 states. The pandemic disrupted daily life for many in recovery by reducing access to treatment, disrupting employment, and isolating people from those they depend on for support.

Related Links:

— “‘The Drug Became His Friend”: Pandemic Drives Hike in Opiods Deaths ” Hilary Swift and Abby Goodnough, The New York Times, September 29, 2020

CNN (9/29, Mascarenhas) reports researchers at the RAND Corporation found “Americans over 30 have been drinking more during the coronavirus pandemic compared to this time last year, and there could be consequences to their physical and mental health.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

TIME (9/29, Kluger) reports that “during the week ending March 21, national alcohol sales increased 54% from the same week a year before and online sales leapt a staggering 262%.” The researchers also found that “adults reported drinking 14% more than they did the year before.”

Other sources covering the story include: HealthDay (9/29, Mozes), MedPage Today (9/29, Walker), and Medscape (9/29, Brooks, Subscription Publication).

Related Links:

— “Americans over 30 have been drinking more during the coronavirus pandemic, research shows ” Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, September 29, 2020