We frequently note the critical role primary care physicians (PCPs) play in preventing and detecting chronic conditions As the name infers, a PCP also serves as the "go to" source for treating many common ailments, including one of the most pervasive… more »

A recent IRS notice will no longer allow first-dollar coverage of male sterilization and other forms of male contraception under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) paired with health savings accounts (HSAs)... a decision that effectively overrules… more »

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other sources paint a grim picture of the growing prevalence of diabetes, as well as its attendant physical effects: More than 29 million Americans are diabetic. Approximately 19… more »

Cholesterol itself isn’t bad. Actually, cholesterol plays an important role in building cells, digestion, and hormone manufacturing. However, since cholesterol is a waxy substance much like a can of Crisco you purchase at the grocery store, the problem… more »

Dental checkups do much more than giving your teeth a good cleaning. Through twice-yearly exams, a dentist can monitor the condition of the teeth and gums to spot subtle changes that may need attention. But that's only the half of it. Research shows… more »

More than 50% of Americans make a resolution each year, yet only 8% are successful at achieving them. Among the top resolutions made each year are getting organized, saving money, and – at the top of the list – weight loss. By a happy coincidence,… more »

A new study suggests that nearly half of cancer cases in the U.S. can be attributed to unhealthy habits – habits that could be changed through a focus on wellness and maintaining a doctor-patient relationship. The American Cancer Society study found… more »

Nearly half of U.S. adults are now considered hypertensive, based on revised blood pressure guidelines developed by the American Heart Association and other medical groups. A reading of 130/80 will indicate stage 1 hypertension, a reduction from the… more »

As the usual end-of-year festivities ramp up, the staff of MedBen would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a fun and stress-free holiday season. While MedBen pauses to observe Thanksgiving Day, our offices will be closed on Thursday,… more »

We see change happening around us every day... but as we approach the final months of the year, what changes have you seen in yourself over the last year? More importantly, what changes haven’t you noticed? Your family physician can tell you what you… more »

Three recent news items that caught our eye... The percentage of undiagnosed cases of diabetes has dropped significantly in recent years. Better testing techniques now capture about 90% of all diabetes cases. Data from the National Health and… more »

What do 12.4%, 22% and 100% all have in common? Breast cancer. 12.4% of women born in the United States will develop breast cancer. That’s nearly 1 in 8 women who will find that the disease, in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the breasts… more »

At KevinMD.com, family physician Glen R. Stream reminds us that this week is National Primary Care Week (just in case you somehow forgot), and the critical role that these doctors play: "A wealth of research continues to show that primary care not only… more »

A common excuse for not getting an annual wellness exam: "I feel fine, so why waste my time and money seeing a doctor?" But by taking this narrow view of regular check-ups, many people fail to understand that their benefits go well beyond current health… more »

With nearly 10 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes, it's imperative that the individuals take the proper steps to control the disease if they have it, and prevent it if they don't. By introducing MedBen WellLiving to a group health care program,… more »

Imagine pouring candle wax into a straw, letting it dry, and then trying to drink from that straw. Depending on how much candle wax you used, you’d probably agree that you’d be lucky to get a drop of liquid from your cup to your mouth, if any at all.… more »

Two cancer screening-related items recently made the news, both of which address the question of when (or if) such tests are appropriate: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has walked back from its 2012 position that most men should… more »

The importance of primary care physicians to improved population health goes well beyond "simple office visits," says Asaf Bitton, an internist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, to The Daily Briefing:… more »

The 15th Annual MedBen Hospital Roundtable, held at the C. Arthur Morrow Conference Center in Newark, Ohio on March 23, gave attendees the chance to review hospital health plan usage trends and compare their plan costs to those of other hospital groups.… more »

A new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows encouraging trends on cancer survival ‒ a decline in death rates that coincides with a greater emphasis on preventive care through programs like MedBen WellLiving. Since the early 1990's,… more »