Tag: cardiovascular disease

Why New Insurance Rules Could Make Weight Loss Treatments Harder to Access

Nordstrom
weight loss medications

Independence Blue Cross Restricts Weight Loss Drug Coverage Starting January 1, 2025, Independence Blue Cross (IBX), the largest health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania, will no longer cover certain weight loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic, when prescribed solely for managing weight. The company will continue covering these medications for individuals with FDA-approved conditions such as Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. This change impacts both group and individual commercial plan holders, shifting the full cost of these drugs—ranging from $700 to $1,350 per month—to patients who…

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Is Sitting Really the New Smoking? Debunking the Myth

John Bowers
Is Sitting Really the New Smoking?

The Sitting Health Risks Statistics Compared to Smoking While prolonged sitting is undoubtedly detrimental to health, it’s important to differentiate its risks from those associated with smoking. A 2018 study found that sitting for more than eight hours a day increases the risk of death by 22%, whereas smoking increases it by 180%. However, some medical experts argue that the health risks of sitting for extended periods can be comparable to those of smoking. For instance, prolonged sitting can lead to blood pooling in your legs, causing varicose veins or…

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