Rebecca Andrick
@randrick.bsky.social
Obesity medicine physician specialist, wife, proud Gen Z and mutt mom, fledgling pianist, patient advocate
With only 20% of doctors in private practice now, many will just drop Cigna (and friends that follow) with this policy automatically down coding the work we have already done, legitimately coded for and are contracted to be paid for. Patients will be left with paying cash or losing their doctor.
Cigna’s new E&M payment policy highlights a familiar challenge in healthcare: well-intentioned rules that trigger unintended consequences.
Clinicians are already telling me they avoid higher-tier E&M codes. Years of heavy audits and penalties have created a strong dampening effect on complex coding
Clinicians are already telling me they avoid higher-tier E&M codes. Years of heavy audits and penalties have created a strong dampening effect on complex coding
September 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
With only 20% of doctors in private practice now, many will just drop Cigna (and friends that follow) with this policy automatically down coding the work we have already done, legitimately coded for and are contracted to be paid for. Patients will be left with paying cash or losing their doctor.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
COMMENTARY: If this was happening in another nation, we'd call it by name. It's authoritarianism.
September 3, 2025 at 12:59 AM
COMMENTARY: If this was happening in another nation, we'd call it by name. It's authoritarianism.
Healthcare is going to get more expensive as it is with loss of Medicaid and ACA subsidies and what will predictably happen with more preventable infectious disease disseminating through our communities because the CDC will be being run by cranks, it will cost us ALL more money!
Status report: Never have we seen an instance of an advanced, affluent country with among the finest scientific resources and leaders in the world under assault, not from small pockets of the public or people who have unusual beliefs, but from the government itself.
As CDC crumbles, fears grow about vaccines, pandemics and health crises
Months of upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have undercut the agency’s work, employees said, and put the future of vaccines into doubt.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Healthcare is going to get more expensive as it is with loss of Medicaid and ACA subsidies and what will predictably happen with more preventable infectious disease disseminating through our communities because the CDC will be being run by cranks, it will cost us ALL more money!
If insurance does not cover vaccines, fewer people will get them. Not only for themselves but more importantly for their children. Inevitability we’ll see the resurgence of more than measles! More polio, tetanus, mumps, diphtheria, Hepatitis B, meningitis etc etc! Do people really want that?
RFK Jr. has fired all members of the Preventive Services Task Force, which requires insurance companies to cover certain treatments. The Supreme Court ruled he could do so in June.
Likely next step: Appointing quacks who will end mandatory insurance coverage for PrEP.
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Likely next step: Appointing quacks who will end mandatory insurance coverage for PrEP.
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Exclusive | RFK Jr. to Oust Advisory Panel on Cancer Screenings, HIV Prevention Drugs
The task force determines which preventive services insurers must cover at no cost to patients.
www.wsj.com
July 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
If insurance does not cover vaccines, fewer people will get them. Not only for themselves but more importantly for their children. Inevitability we’ll see the resurgence of more than measles! More polio, tetanus, mumps, diphtheria, Hepatitis B, meningitis etc etc! Do people really want that?
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
When you strip away humanity
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 AM
When you strip away humanity
Excellent piece!
“The conflict that shapes America today is the latest iteration of a very old struggle.”
“The conflict that shapes America today is the latest iteration of a very old struggle.”
What Is America, and for Whom?
A white Christian ethno-state with strict hierarchies or a pluralistic democracy with egalitarian aspirations? American society has always been divided over what this country should strive to be.
New piece:
A white Christian ethno-state with strict hierarchies or a pluralistic democracy with egalitarian aspirations? American society has always been divided over what this country should strive to be.
New piece:
What Is America, and for Whom?
A white Christian ethno-state with strict hierarchies or a pluralistic democracy with egalitarian aspirations? American society has always been divided over what this country should strive to be
thomaszimmer.substack.com
July 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Excellent piece!
“The conflict that shapes America today is the latest iteration of a very old struggle.”
“The conflict that shapes America today is the latest iteration of a very old struggle.”
Terrorist insurgent in Denver!
@maddow.msnbc.com
@maddow.msnbc.com
April 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Terrorist insurgent in Denver!
@maddow.msnbc.com
@maddow.msnbc.com
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
See @kffhealthnews.org article and also summary of the research from work requirements from @kff.org policy here: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
April 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
See @kffhealthnews.org article and also summary of the research from work requirements from @kff.org policy here: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Cuts to Medicaid are going take away healthcare from our most vulnerable citizens, especially kids and those with disabilities. States and communities will pay in the end for uncompensated healthcare and contending with a sicker population that progressively becomes more impoverished.
⚡ So far, the debate over Medicaid cuts has been about abstract numbers that don’t mean a lot to the public.
Now the rubber hits the road, writes KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social. #QuickTake on.kff.org/4i4fhe5
Now the rubber hits the road, writes KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social. #QuickTake on.kff.org/4i4fhe5
April 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Cuts to Medicaid are going take away healthcare from our most vulnerable citizens, especially kids and those with disabilities. States and communities will pay in the end for uncompensated healthcare and contending with a sicker population that progressively becomes more impoverished.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
They chose the banks.
Colorado's U.S. Reps Evans, Hurd, Crank, & Boebert just voted to eliminate a consumer protection capping overdraft fees at $5. That increases profits for the largest banks by billions each year.
Well, now we know who they're going to protect. It's not you. #copolitics
Colorado's U.S. Reps Evans, Hurd, Crank, & Boebert just voted to eliminate a consumer protection capping overdraft fees at $5. That increases profits for the largest banks by billions each year.
Well, now we know who they're going to protect. It's not you. #copolitics
April 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
They chose the banks.
Colorado's U.S. Reps Evans, Hurd, Crank, & Boebert just voted to eliminate a consumer protection capping overdraft fees at $5. That increases profits for the largest banks by billions each year.
Well, now we know who they're going to protect. It's not you. #copolitics
Colorado's U.S. Reps Evans, Hurd, Crank, & Boebert just voted to eliminate a consumer protection capping overdraft fees at $5. That increases profits for the largest banks by billions each year.
Well, now we know who they're going to protect. It's not you. #copolitics
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
Republicans are taking an axe to your housing, health care, and education, all to give tax cuts to billionaires.
They are literally stealing from the poor to give to the rich.
They are literally stealing from the poor to give to the rich.
February 21, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Republicans are taking an axe to your housing, health care, and education, all to give tax cuts to billionaires.
They are literally stealing from the poor to give to the rich.
They are literally stealing from the poor to give to the rich.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
The measles outbreak in Texas is reminding me of the public letter Roald Dahl wrote about losing his daughter to measles in 1962, just before the vaccine was publicly available.
February 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The measles outbreak in Texas is reminding me of the public letter Roald Dahl wrote about losing his daughter to measles in 1962, just before the vaccine was publicly available.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
Thank you to everyone who stands with USAID. Share far and wide. Unfortunately we don’t have $40 million to buy up ads during the Super Bowl. Even if we did, we’d use it to support the U.S. economy while feeding kids around the globe.
#StandWithUSAID
#SaveForeignAid
m.youtube.com/watch?v=PqUE...
#StandWithUSAID
#SaveForeignAid
m.youtube.com/watch?v=PqUE...
Save Foreign Aid
YouTube video by friendsofUSAID
m.youtube.com
February 9, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Thank you to everyone who stands with USAID. Share far and wide. Unfortunately we don’t have $40 million to buy up ads during the Super Bowl. Even if we did, we’d use it to support the U.S. economy while feeding kids around the globe.
#StandWithUSAID
#SaveForeignAid
m.youtube.com/watch?v=PqUE...
#StandWithUSAID
#SaveForeignAid
m.youtube.com/watch?v=PqUE...
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
You will likely see very visible commercials tonight offering a version of the popular weight loss drugs that is *compounded*.
That means it’s mixed with other ingredients and has an unclear and untested safety profile. They are risky to take with unclear side-effects.
Don’t fall into their trap.
That means it’s mixed with other ingredients and has an unclear and untested safety profile. They are risky to take with unclear side-effects.
Don’t fall into their trap.
February 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
You will likely see very visible commercials tonight offering a version of the popular weight loss drugs that is *compounded*.
That means it’s mixed with other ingredients and has an unclear and untested safety profile. They are risky to take with unclear side-effects.
Don’t fall into their trap.
That means it’s mixed with other ingredients and has an unclear and untested safety profile. They are risky to take with unclear side-effects.
Don’t fall into their trap.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
“…they have imperiled millions of lives, thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars of investment in American small businesses and farms while severely undermining our national security and global influence — all while authoritarians and extremists celebrate their luck.”
Opinion | Samantha Power: Killing U.S.A.I.D. Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere (Gift Article)
The attacks on the agency are cruel and counterproductive.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2025 at 1:18 AM
“…they have imperiled millions of lives, thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars of investment in American small businesses and farms while severely undermining our national security and global influence — all while authoritarians and extremists celebrate their luck.”
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
The logic of the coup that is going on now. And how to resist it.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-logic-...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-logic-...
The Logic of Destruction
And how to resist it
snyder.substack.com
February 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The logic of the coup that is going on now. And how to resist it.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-logic-...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-logic-...
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
"To condone policies that the profession knows will compromise health—or to remain silent and look away—is to be complicit in putting population health at risk"
To every university, every public hospital, every academic society: SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION. #medsky
To every university, every public hospital, every academic society: SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION. #medsky
How Should Health Care and Public Health Respond to the New US Administration?
This Viewpoint discusses scientific, medical, and public health actions, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization, taken so far during the first week of the Trump administration.
jamanetwork.com
February 2, 2025 at 2:20 AM
"To condone policies that the profession knows will compromise health—or to remain silent and look away—is to be complicit in putting population health at risk"
To every university, every public hospital, every academic society: SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION. #medsky
To every university, every public hospital, every academic society: SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION. #medsky
coloradosun.com/2025/01/23/c...
CO is trying to yank coverage of anti-obesity medications from its state employees. Because obesity is a chronic metabolic disease state, Long term treatment is necessary for weight maintenance and stopping medication almost always leads to weight recurrence.
CO is trying to yank coverage of anti-obesity medications from its state employees. Because obesity is a chronic metabolic disease state, Long term treatment is necessary for weight maintenance and stopping medication almost always leads to weight recurrence.
Colorado plans to limit coverage of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy for state employees to save $17M
The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration says the decision was made to help balance the state’s budget. At least one state lawmaker who gets GLP-1 treatment is fighting hard to prevent ...
coloradosun.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
coloradosun.com/2025/01/23/c...
CO is trying to yank coverage of anti-obesity medications from its state employees. Because obesity is a chronic metabolic disease state, Long term treatment is necessary for weight maintenance and stopping medication almost always leads to weight recurrence.
CO is trying to yank coverage of anti-obesity medications from its state employees. Because obesity is a chronic metabolic disease state, Long term treatment is necessary for weight maintenance and stopping medication almost always leads to weight recurrence.
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
As physicians and medical students, we are deeply concerned that this action undermines our ability to protect the health of the nation and puts countless lives at risk.
doctorsforamerica.org/sr-dfa-who/
doctorsforamerica.org/sr-dfa-who/
STATEMENT RELEASE: Doctors for America's Statement on President Trump's Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) - Doctors for America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Doctors for America PO Box: 21161 2300 18th St NW Lbby Washington, DC 20009-9996 January 23, 2025 Doctors for America’s Statement on President Trump’s Withdrawal from the...
doctorsforamerica.org
January 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
As physicians and medical students, we are deeply concerned that this action undermines our ability to protect the health of the nation and puts countless lives at risk.
doctorsforamerica.org/sr-dfa-who/
doctorsforamerica.org/sr-dfa-who/
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
Breaking: AAMC reporting steep (double-digit) drop in Black and Hispanic medical school enrollees following Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action. Story developing, please reply here with reactions. www.statnews.com/2025/01/09/m...
Medical schools report steep drop in enrollment of Black and Hispanic students after Supreme Court ruling
Black and Hispanic enrollment in medical schools fell after the Supreme Court banned the consideration of race in admissions, new data show
www.statnews.com
January 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Breaking: AAMC reporting steep (double-digit) drop in Black and Hispanic medical school enrollees following Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action. Story developing, please reply here with reactions. www.statnews.com/2025/01/09/m...
A proposed change to a Medicare Rule to allow coverage for anti-obesity medications is open for Public Comment until 1/27. If you’re inclined to advocate for this rule change, the Obesity Action Coalition is hosting a free Zoom event 1/9 at 7pm ET to discuss further!
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Information Session: CMS Proposed Rule to Cover Obesity Medications. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Overview of the CMS Proposed Rule to expand coverage for obesity medications under Medicare and Medicaid. Information on how to submit a public comment on the proposal will be provided.
us02web.zoom.us
January 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A proposed change to a Medicare Rule to allow coverage for anti-obesity medications is open for Public Comment until 1/27. If you’re inclined to advocate for this rule change, the Obesity Action Coalition is hosting a free Zoom event 1/9 at 7pm ET to discuss further!
Reposted by Rebecca Andrick
Would help millions gain access to life-changing obesity treatment because changing Medicare rules means changing Medicaid rules and will gradually be adopted by commercial insurers.
Only need 300 more emails sent. Can you participate?
Demand Congress expand Medicare — and do so before Trump gets in office.
Takes 5 seconds. Email here: bit.ly/41UCXgR
Demand Congress expand Medicare — and do so before Trump gets in office.
Takes 5 seconds. Email here: bit.ly/41UCXgR
Expand Medicare Now
We are a vast grassroots community of Americans from across the country who have come together to advocate for policies that will...
bit.ly
December 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
Would help millions gain access to life-changing obesity treatment because changing Medicare rules means changing Medicaid rules and will gradually be adopted by commercial insurers.
Great news for increasing coverage and access to obesity treatment and sleep apnea !
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
FDA Approves First Medication for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Today, the FDA approved the first medication for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
www.fda.gov
December 21, 2024 at 1:01 AM
Great news for increasing coverage and access to obesity treatment and sleep apnea !
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
www.fda.gov/news-events/...