This treatment offers children a way to manage migraine without drugs or side effects—but getting it covered by insurance can be an uphill battle.

(NAPSI)—Migraine is a debilitating neurological disease that affects one billion people worldwide, but it is not just an adult disease. For the 1 in 10 children diagnosed with this complex and incurable condition, it can be a daily battle that affects academic performance, impacts friendships, and leads to diminished quality of life. And many struggle for years before receiving a proper diagnosis.

The Problem

Despite the lifelong consequence of untreated migraine, the landscape of evidence-based pediatric migraine care remains shockingly limited. Many prescription medications have not been evaluated in children or adolescents and were not originally developed for migraine treatment. In fact, only one migraine medication is FDA-approved for acute treatment in children as young as 8 years old, and no medications have been approved for preventive use in this age group. Additionally, they are often poorly tolerated, disruptive to normal activities, and require an adult to manage and properly administer medication to minimize adverse events.

An Answer

Fortunately, there is a non-drug alternative. Unfortunately, certain insurance companies are refusing to cover it. The Nerivio Remote Electrical Neuromodulation (REN) wearable is redefining what is possible for migraine care. It is the only FDA-cleared, non-drug treatment available for people with migraine ages 8 and above, offering both migraine relief and prevention. Despite its proven efficacy, many families face an insurmountable barrier: high cost due to lack of insurance coverage.

“Any treatment with evidence of efficacy is something I discuss with my patients,” says Dr. Ryan P. Williams MD, EDM, a pediatric neurologist and headache specialist with Children’s Specialty Group and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters – a network of comprehensive pediatric services. “I have noticed more families are seeking effective, non-medication options, and the Nerivio REN wearable fits that need perfectly. However, the cost of the treatment without insurance coverage prevents many patients from accessing it. Of those I prescribe it to, only about half can afford to move forward.”

One Child’s Story

For Kieran Johnston, a 15-year-old migraine patient, non-drug treatment has been transformative. Migraine was an exhausting battle when relying on medications that left him nauseated and sometimes sleepy. The Nerivio REN wearable offered a way to manage his migraine disease without the systemic side effects of drugs. Using the treatment every other day for prevention and for relief when a migraine starts, Johnston has reduced his school absences from 6 or 7 days a month to just 1 or 2. He’s back to playing soccer and football with friends—activities he often missed when using migraine medication.

Still, Johnston’s family is paying out of pocket for this non-drug, non-disruptive treatment.

“We thought about stopping because it’s expensive,” says Johnston. “But it works so well that we decided to keep using it. I just wish it was covered by insurance for our family and so more kids like me could try it.”

Dr. Williams emphasizes that early and effective treatment can make a significant difference for pediatric patients, reducing the risk of developing chronic migraine later in life. “Insurance companies should cover all safe and effective treatment options, and the Nerivio REN wearable deserves to be one of those options, so we can not only treat early, but safely, effectively, and, if desired, without drugs.”

Families and healthcare providers alike are urging insurance companies to take notice and prioritize evidence-based, non-drug treatments for migraine. With growing evidence and real-world success stories, many believe it’s time for insurers to provide equitable access for drug-free options, including the Nerivio REN wearable.

Learn More

Patients, caregivers, and advocates can visit NerivioCovered.com for resources to help fight for better coverage and close the gap in pediatric migraine care.

You may be able to get more health care at less cost.

(NAPSI)—Over 12.5 million Americans are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, but many don’t realize this and could be missing out on some valuable benefits. People who qualify for both health care programs can enroll in a type of Medicare Advantage plan called a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP), offered by Aetna® and other health care companies.

D-SNPs work with your Medicare and Medicaid benefits to help you maximize your benefits. They provide all the traditional benefits of a Medicare Advantage health plan, while also offering added benefits, such as flexible allowances, which can help pay for healthy food and certain over-the-counter items. Depending on the state where you live, some additional benefits that come with an Aetna D-SNP may include:

• Dental, vision and hearing coverage
• $0 co-pays for covered Part D prescriptions at in-network pharmacies
• Extra Benefits Card with a monthly allowance to use on certain everyday expenses, like healthy foods and over-the-counter items, such as aspirin and bandages
• SilverSneakers® fitness membership
• Fresh meals home-delivered after a hospital stay

D-SNPs may also come with a personal care coordinator, who can help you find in-network doctors, arrange transportation and schedule appointments. They can also connect you with programs to help beyond health care services.

D-SNPs may help save you money. Most people pay little or no cost for their coverage. Covered Part D prescription drugs are available at no cost at in-network pharmacies, and doctors’ visits may also be fully covered at no cost to you.

If you qualify, a D-SNP can offer you more complete health care coverage so you can take charge of your health and access the care you need.

To enroll in an Aetna D-SNP plan, you must apply and prove that you meet the eligibility criteria, including having both Medicare and Medicaid. You will also be required to periodically prove that you continue to meet the plan’s requirements.

For more information about D-SNPs, call Aetna at 1-844-588-0041 (TTY: 711), 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM. A licensed agent may answer your call. Or visit AetnaMedicare.com/DSNP.

Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our D-SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

By using a new app, you can take charge of your well-being, make more informed choices, and stay on top of your health with ease.

(NAPSI)—Technology is making it easier for people to manage their health – in ways that may surprise you. Wearables in conjunction with health apps are transforming how people manage their health. These tools enable users to monitor vital signs, track healthcare activities, and manage chronic conditions with ease. By providing access to medical information, millions are making informed decisions about their well-being, improving their quality of life, and taking active steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

An Example

One easy-to-use app helps millions of people understand their health by tracking activity levels, sleep, exercise, heart rate, stress, and even what you eat. Called Samsung Health, it also offers challenges, tips, and coaching to help users set and meet their health goals.

By better understanding your personal health data, you can be in better control of your health and wellness goals. That’s why Samsung Health introduced Health Records, a new feature that gives users easy access to their medical records from clinics, hospitals and major health networks.

The new Health Records feature in the app guides users toward preventive care by offering meaningful insights and alerts that suggest proactive care steps, such as recommending medical tests or actions like scheduling your annual exam. Instead of relying on the hospital for your records, you have easy access to important data such as lab results, prescription records, list of medications, and past hospital visits.

One of the main reasons people use Health Records is because having all health information in one place makes it easy to stay in control of their health. Whether you’re tracking daily steps or managing a long-term health condition, having your health data in the app makes it simple to stay on top of things. And, with a holistic view of your health records, readily available at your fingertips, you can more effectively engage with providers.

With the ability to track everything from exercise to doctor’s appointments, medications, or test results, Samsung Health gives users more control over their health than ever before.

Learn More

To learn more visit https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-health.

If you struggle with mental health issues, a simple test can help your clinician if they are considering medication as a course of treatment.

(NAPSI)—The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions.

This year, why not consider solutions rather than resolutions? The distinction is small but important—acting versus thinking. Mental health professionals think it’s a better way forward into 2025.

Expert Advice

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Johnson believes that the resolution mindset is an obstacle to action. “When we get stuck in our new year’s resolutions, part of it is just that we’ve gotten stuck in the process, stuck in the details, stuck in the weeds if you will,” Johnson said. “It’s struggling with ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ thinking patterns and reasons why maybe we haven’t been able to follow through and stick to those resolutions.”

Johnson recommends a new approach for her patients—and for us: simpler, concrete solutions with measurable results.

“Instead of setting a big resolution to try to lose 25 pounds, maybe setting a simple solution to reduce drinking soda to one can a day,” she offers. “For some, that’s quite a goal and quite a change, but it’s simple and it’s achievable and it’s measurable.”

Solutions can also mean an increased focus on your mental health. For those suffering from mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, setting and attaining goals can seem even more overwhelming. One important step for 2025 could be to find a mental health professional. Or, if you’re already taking medication for depression, anxiety or ADHD and still struggling, it may be helpful to talk to your clinician about the GeneSight test.

The GeneSight Psychotropic test analyzes how your genes may affect your outcomes with medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. The GeneSight Psychotropic test provides clinicians with information about which medications may require dose adjustments, may be less likely to work, or may have an increased risk of side effects based on a patient’s genetic makeup. Along with a complete assessment of clinical and patient specific factors, Johnson uses the GeneSight test to help inform her medication treatment decision making.

“The GeneSight test is imperative to me as a clinician,” says Johnson, “but also a game changer to my patients. When I’m working with a patient, often multiple medications have failed them, and they are sick of feeling like a guinea pig.”

Johnson concludes, “The GeneSight test offers me a little bit more of a roadway to making a medication choice. And when you are anxious or depressed, lost, any light bulb, any hope, is such a blessing in that moment.”

Prioritize your well-being – Physical and Mental

As we step into a new year, prioritize your well-being—both physical and mental. Explore solutions that help you thrive and achieve your goals, moving beyond the usual resolutions for lasting success.

Learn More

Visit GeneSight.com to learn more about how the GeneSight test can help inform your mental health medication treatment plans.

Karyne Jones says it’s a good thing the CDC now recommends that everyone over 50 get a pneumococcal vaccine.

(NAPSI)—Good news for those Americans over the age of 50 (and the people who care about them): You now have access to vaccines to stop the spread of pneumococcal disease, or pneumonia.

The change comes by way of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which updated its recommendation for pneumococcal vaccines, dropping the age to 50 from 65.

My Story

I know the importance of being vaccinated against this disease far too well.

In January 2018, I thought I had a bad cold. I was dealing with a terrible cough, chest pain, exhaustion. When I finally ended up in the hospital needing breathing treatments, we realized this was beyond a normal cold or bronchial infection. Pneumonia took me out for the next six weeks. I couldn’t work, I could barely eat or drink. I’m an otherwise healthy, on-the-go person. This disease leveled me. And because I was 64 at the time I caught it—I hadn’t yet been vaccinated. Make no mistake, I had my sleeve rolled up and was ready for my shot when my birthday rolled around later that year.

Too Many Stories

I’m far from the only person who has dealt with pneumococcal disease.

Roughly 150,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized each year with pneumococcal pneumonia and 1 in 20 of those patients die. The risk is greater for older Americans, as is the risk of their cases being fatal.

Pneumonia is a Particular Problem For Persons of Color

These numbers only increase for racial and ethnic minorities. Black people are more likely to get pneumonia, be hospitalized longer, and suffer worse economic impact than non-Blacks. This is in part due to the fact that Black Americans have far greater rates of chronic diseases—including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. African Americans are 60 percent more likely to develop diabetes than white adults.

Vaccination rates are also considerably lower for Black, Hispanic and Asian adults when compared to white adults.
I’m hopeful that streamlining timing of vaccines and the related recommendations will help boost vaccination rates. For far too many adults, there is considerable confusion about what vaccines you need and when, so adding pneumococcal at age 50, when most people know you also need your shingles vaccine is a good way to get more people protected.

An Answer

That is why my organization joined forces with other aging and patient groups to advocate for this important change.
As we are in the midst of another respiratory season, I urge all adults aged 50 and older to talk to their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.

It could be a decision that saves your life.

Learn More

For more facts, visit www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal.

• Ms. Jones is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging, Inc.