In the event of a disaster or emergency, Medicare Advantage plans (MA plans) must ensure that members in affected areas can continue to access care and prescription drugs. These special rules are triggered by a formal declaration of emergency or disaster by a federal or state government. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) created a ...Read more

Q: How can exercise impact my longevity?

A: You’ve probably heard that exercise is good for you — but did you know it can actually help you live longer? Staying active doesn’t just keep you fit; it plays a big role in keeping your body and mind healthy as you age.

Regular physical activity helps lower your risk for major health problems ...Read more

Snacking often gets a bad rap — but it can actually be helpful for staying energized and full throughout the day. The key is to choose foods that are rich in satiating nutrients, such as complex carbohydrates, fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats.

Ahead, learn about the top eight healthiest snacks you can enjoy between meals.

1. Dark ...Read more

In the world of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and supplements, magnesium seems to be having a moment. Perhaps it’s long overdue: in many ways, magnesium has been overlooked, underappreciated, or even forgotten. That may be ending.

But why is magnesium getting so much attention lately? Are claims about its benefits true? Are you getting ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve heard from some of my relatives that heart disease runs in our family, so I’ve been reading a lot about different conditions. I can barely pronounce it, but what is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

ANSWER: It is a mouthful. Let’s break it down a little. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart (...Read more

WATERLOO, Iowa — John-Paul Sager appreciates the care he has received at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics, but he thinks it should be easier for veterans like him to use their benefits elsewhere.

Sager, a Marine Corps and Army veteran, uses his VA coverage for non-VA treatment of back injuries stemming from his military ...Read more

In retrospect, Erica Kahn realizes she made two big mistakes.

The first was choosing to temporarily forgo health insurance when she was laid off from her job.

The second was screaming when a wild bat later landed on her face.

The bizarre encounter happened last August, while the Massachusetts resident was photographing the night sky during a ...Read more

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”

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REDDING, Calif. 𑁋 This spring, the Good News Rescue Mission, which runs the only emergency homeless shelter in Shasta County, received a game-changing $17.8 million state grant to build a ...Read more

An unvaccinated child who lives in Kootenai County was diagnosed with measles just weeks after the virus was found in the area’s wastewater. It’s the second confirmed case of measles in Idaho this month.

The case also marks the first confirmed measles case in the Idaho Panhandle since 1991, according to a news release Tuesday from the ...Read more

Nonprofit hospital systems across the country are spending millions to plaster their names on sports stadiums and arenas, even as federal Medicaid cuts and economic uncertainty cloud their financial futures.

Health care systems and hospital groups have bought naming rights at ballparks and arenas in states such as California, Florida, Georgia, ...Read more

It promises the benefits of a 10,000-step walk in just 30 minutes. No gym membership required. Just a pair of shoes and a willingness to alternate between brisk and slow-paced walking in three-minute bursts.

Dubbed "Japanese walking," the latest viral fitness trend is all over TikTok and has people wondering whether this short-interval workout ...Read more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a case of contagious tuberculosis was identified at a popular Yolo County tribal casino, Californians may be concerned whether they’re at risk of catching the deadly disease.

The individual with contagious TB was recently detected at Cache Creek Casino Resort, prompting Yolo County health officials to conduct ...Read more

SEATTLE — Local health officials are still investigating how a Pierce County woman who hadn't traveled recently might have contracted malaria — but however it happened, the situation involved an unusual sequence of events."

The case is rare for a few reasons, said Dr. James Miller, health officer of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA -- Nutritious snacks like dried mango slices, roasted edamame beans, and sweet potato tortilla chips are easier to find than traditional junk food options in vending machines at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

HUP’s machines are just a few of the 322 so-called “healthier vending machines” now offered at ...Read more

Aaron Hardwick woke up one Tuesday in June and immediately knew something was wrong. He felt hot, and his stomach hurt. He soon tested positive for COVID-19.

“The fever, the insomnia and the chills, and the shaking, was out of this world,” said Hardwick, 45, of Chicago. “That was something I’ve never had before in my life.”

Hardwick ...Read more

If you want a COVID-19 shot this fall, will your employer’s health insurance plan pay for it? There’s no clear answer.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, has upended the way COVID vaccines are approved and for whom they’re recommended, creating uncertainty where coverage was ...Read more

Infectious diseases spread by insects are a major cause of illnesses to children and adults worldwide. As you spend time with family outdoors, keep everyone safe with knowledge of the diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks.

Besides being itchy annoyances, mosquito bites can transmit a number of diseases such as West Nile virus and La Crosse ...Read more

DETROIT — The wildfire smoke that has blanketed the state this month could take a toll on the health of Michiganians long after clearing.

The particles that form plumes of wildfire smoke are small (the average human hair is at least 30 times larger). That means they can seep into our blood, where they pose a triple threat to our lungs, hearts...Read more

Venus Williams returned to the professional tennis circuit in July with a win in the first round of the DC Open. (She lost in a late round.) In an interview on the court following the match, the 45-year-old made a somewhat surprising admission on why she decided to return to competitive tennis. “I had to come back for the insurance because ...Read more

Now that the Republicans’ big tax-and-spending bill has become law, new bureaucratic hurdles have emerged for millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for health coverage. A provision in the new law dictates that, in most states, for the first time, low-income adults must start meeting work requirements to keep their coverage.

Some states ...Read more