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Daily Rounds: Report Medicaid Fraud; Money-Wasting Tests; Storefront Medical Labs; Yoga In Its Birthplace

AG launches site for Medicaid fraud tips (The Boston Herald) - "Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office unveiled a Web page today where people can report allegations of Medicaid fraud. The Medicaid Fraud Complaint or Fraud Reporting Form, on the AG’s website, lets Massachusetts residents report Medicaid fraud electronically, and anonymously, if they choose. Tips will be reviewed daily by members of Coakley’s staff." (The Boston Herald) Note to readers: No link in the Herald story as of 6 a.m. but looks like the spot for tips is here.

13 common medical tests you may not need (The Boston Globe) - "In the new study, a working group of physicians — convened by the American College of Physicians — identified 37 situations where the use of a medical test fails to provide high value, meaning the cost of the test, and its rate of false findings, doesn’t justify the benefits patients receive from it." (The Boston Globe)

Retail labs give patients information but needle doctors (NPR) - "Labs where folks can just walk in and order tests on themselves are popping up in retail centers across the country. Any Lab Test Now, for example, has 100 stores in almost three dozen states. And the company says it's opening five new labs a month. And there are at least three other national chains that are expanding. At Any Lab Test Now, co-owner Anthony Richey pulls out a long sheet of paper with all the different tests his lab offers. There's everything from an HIV screening to a "fatigue" panel. It looks like a sushi menu." (NPR)

The great yoga divide (The New York Times) - "People who practice yoga casually in India rarely view it as an endurance sport or a heart-rate accelerator. In most classes held in neighborhood parks or private gyms or by yoga gurus, the notion of competitive or aggressive yoga seems laughable. Sometimes laughing is actually part of the practice. In some places, participants think nothing about answering cell phones in the middle of postures, or taking a short break to chat with a friend." (The New York Times)

This program aired on January 18, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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