Med-Flight-1 aids injured hiker in Amherst County rescue mission
Virginia State Police Senior Trooper Pilot Andy Wood, Chesterfield Firefighter Chris Orr, and Chesterfield Lieutenant Mike Abbott then flew the 87 nautical miles to the site.
(Photo Credit: Virginia State Police)
When crews arrived on scene, surrounded by trees, firefighter Orr was on the ground to assist the juvenile patient into the Baumin Bag to hoist the patient into the helicopter.
The patient was flown to UVA Medical Center.
Med-Flight is currently in its 41st year and is a publicly funded operation therefore does not charge for its services. It is also in partnership with Virginia State Police and Chesterfield County Fire and EMS.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
MedCity News Report Reveals Employers are Turning to AI-Powered, Clinically Integrated Independent Healthcare Navigation to Combat Rising Costs
DUBLIN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As employers face mounting pressure to improve health outcomes while managing rising costs, a new report sponsored by Quantum Health reveals a significant shift in how benefit consultants are advising self-insured employers to build and evaluate healthcare benefit strategies. The 2025 Benefits Sentiment Index, conducted in partnership with MedCity News, offers a data driven look into the top challenges and emerging priorities shaping the benefits landscape. "Independent navigation is accelerating as a central benefits strategy, not only to improve the member experience, but to lower costs, improve value on investment and seamlessly integrate AI-driven innovations with compassionate, human-centered care." Share Now in its third year, the Index surveyed more than 120 experienced benefit consultants and uncovered a growing demand for independent, clinically integrated navigation models and a rising dissatisfaction with traditional carrier-provided services. Among the key findings: 68% of surveyed consultants guide clients away from navigation solutions tied to insurance carriers, instead recommending independent partners citing the need for a stronger member experience, clinical integration and transparency in cost savings. 87% of surveyed consultants report advising on GLP-1 drug coverage, with most recommending restrictions and measurable outcomes to ensure cost-effectiveness. The influence of AI continues to grow, with 72% of consultants surveyed counseling clients on its use in benefits — up significantly from the prior year. 'We're excited to once again collaborate with MedCity News on the Benefits Sentiment Index, bringing forward the key priorities shaping the healthcare benefits landscape,' said Dayne Williams, CEO of Quantum Health. 'This year's findings highlight how independent healthcare navigation is accelerating as a central healthcare benefits strategy — not only to simplify and improve the member healthcare experience, but also to lower costs, improve value on investment and seamlessly integrate AI-driven innovations with compassionate, human-centered care.' Williams added, "As the only navigation solution that engages continuously with providers from the member's first moment of need, we take immediate action to guide care decisions in real time. Leveraging advanced AI and our proprietary Real-Time Intercept® platform, we proactively identify members at critical moments and connect them to the right care at the right time. This approach combines clinical expertise with accelerated intervention — delivering independently validated results, improved health outcomes and a better experience for members.' The report also calls attention to gaps in engagement and personalization, with half of consultants reporting that their clients struggle with fragmented care coordination, lack of centralized access and difficulty engaging employees. Consultants are increasingly seeking solutions that integrate clinical care teams, embed AI for proactive risk detection, and provide seamless connections to behavioral health and social determinants of health support. 'At MedCity News, we're committed to surfacing insights that drive smarter healthcare decisions, and this year's Index does exactly that,' said Ken Montgomery, publisher of MedCity News. 'The data reveals a clear call to action: self-insured employers and their consultants are demanding more from navigation solutions — more clinical integration, more actionable data and more alignment with evolving technologies like AI. We're proud to partner with Quantum Health to spotlight these critical shifts and help advance the conversation on what effective benefits strategy looks like today.' 'The takeaway is clear,' said Williams. 'Employers are no longer satisfied with the status quo. The next chapter of healthcare navigation must be clinically integrated, AI-enabled and relentlessly focused on driving measurable results.' The full 2025 Benefits Sentiment Index is available for download here. About MedCity News MedCity News is the go-to digital destination for B2B healthcare innovation news, informing decision-makers of trends in the healthcare industry. MedCity News produces dynamic and unique innovation-focused events for the entire healthcare ecosystem, gathering experts from across disciplines to address the challenges facing the industry. MedCity News also produces the Debunked videocast, as well as several podcasts: MedCity Pivot, MedCity Moves and MedCity FemFwd. MedCity News is owned by Breaking Media, a network of websites, e-newsletters, events and social media channels for influential, affluent business communities. To learn more visit MedCity News. About Quantum Health Celebrating 25 years of innovation, Quantum Health is a leading consumer healthcare navigation and care coordination company. Its Real-Time Intercept® platform identifies early intervention opportunities to improve engagement, outcomes, and cost efficiency. Based in Dublin, Ohio, Quantum Health has earned national recognition for growth and workplace culture, including honors from FORTUNE, Inc. 5000, and the Women Presidents' Organization. To learn more, visit and connect on LinkedIn.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
How Health Insurance Rates Could Rise in Florida in 2026
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hundreds of thousands of Florida residents could see their health insurance premiums soar by double-digit increases. Fourteen major insurers, including Molina Healthcare, AmeriHealth Caritas, Centene Venture Company and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, have proposed to increase the premiums for those on Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans in 2026. Florida is not the only state where such increases are happening, as these health insurance premium increases are "fairly routine," Kosali Simon, a health economist and associate vice provost for Health Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, told Newsweek. Simon said that while companies proposing premium increases is not new, the "size of the increases insurers are asking for 2026 is larger than usual." Last year, the median proposed increase was 7 percent, and for 2026 that number is currently 18 percent, KFF data shows, with some states, like Florida, seeing "especially high" increases, she said. A spokesperson for Florida Blue told Newsweek it "shares the concerns rising health insurance rates may cause for our members, communities, and other stakeholders." "The premium increases, which are an industry-wide issue, are a necessary response to federal regulatory changes, including the scheduled expiration of premium tax credits at the end of 2025, as well as the rising cost and utilization of medical care and prescription drugs," they added. Newsweek reached out to Molina Healthcare, AmeriHealth Caritas, and Centene Venture Company via email for comment. Why It Matters The rise in health insurance premiums is being broadly driven by a number of factors, including the increased cost and use of health care services. Inflation also plays a role, as well as the cost of health care, labor and increasing demand for medications like GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which ramp up prescription drug spending. However, while the increases are not new—insurers have been pushing up the costs of premiums for years—2026 is set to have the largest jump in cost since 2018, KFF data shows. The larger increase in 2026 is due to the fact that next year, enhanced tax credits are set to expire as President Donald Trump has not chosen to renew them. This means that out-of-pocket premium costs for ACA marketplace enrollees will increase by more than 75 percent, meaning many healthier enrollees could drop their coverage, which can, in turn, increase the cost of premiums. File photo: the exterior of the AdventHealth Clermont ER hospital in Clermont, Florida. File photo: the exterior of the AdventHealth Clermont ER hospital in Clermont, Florida. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP What To Know Former President Joe Biden brought in temporary subsidies for those using ACA marketplaces and extended them to the end of 2025, helping more people have access to health care coverage. As the Trump administration has made no move to renew these subsidies, likely because they come at a steep cost to the taxpayer, they are currently set to expire at the end of the year, meaning premium costs for those using ACA marketplaces will soar. While there is still time for the administration to opt to extend the subsidies, "insurers may not want to take that gamble, and are increasing rates now," Simon said. This is because insurers are likely anticipating who will be buying health insurance. "The young and healthy may not be as likely to buy, and they help keep the costs for the insurers down, so this 'adverse selection' in insurance markets might be what's behind the premium increase," Simon said. In Florida, Molina Healthcare has said it wants to increase rates by just over 40 percent in 2026, which was more than any other plan. This would affect more than 90,000 policyholders. Meanwhile, AmeriHealth Caritas has proposed the second-highest premium increases, at an average price hike of 35 percent, impacting 55,000 policyholders Impacting more than 1.3 million Americans, Centene Venture Company has requested an increase of just over 18 percent. Florida Blue has also proposed to increase premium costs by nearly 27 percent, with some members seeing smaller increases, according to the local news outlet Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Therefore, while these increases are happening across the country, compared to other states, "Florida seems particularly hard hit," Simon said. What People Are Saying A spokesperson for Florida Blue told Newsweek: "To support our members, we are educating them about the changes and providing personalized support – to help them navigate the enrollment process, understand their coverage options, determine if they qualify for financial assistance, and assist them with staying covered. We are dedicated to making high-quality health care more affordable and accessible to everyone." Mark Pauly, a professor of health care management at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, told Newsweek: "The official government projections are for higher growth in medical spending nationwide, which translates into higher premiums, especially for exchange plans which are not allowed to have a large profit cushion. This high increase is a marked shift in a trend of health spending growth at the same rate as GDP—the share of health spending was the same in 2023 as in 2009." Pauly added: "The trends we are seeing of high claims growth are nationwide. There will be some variation across states but the trend will be common to all." Kosali Simon, a health economist and associate vice provost for Health Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, told Newsweek: "For the majority of enrollees, especially those with federal premium tax credits, these price increases won't mean they have to pay more, as government subsidies adjust with benchmark plan prices." She added, "For those who don't qualify for subsidies, like many small business owners who buy through the exchange but have higher incomes, it's a problem. Those who have to pay more may drop coverage and become uninsured or have to cut back on other spending." What Happens Next The proposed increases are for the 2026 calendar year, and many are concerned about the impacts they will have on Americans. Pauly said higher premiums "will drive the middle income buyers of exchange insurance to take a chance and go uninsured or switch to a job that has health benefits."
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
This must-have tool can prevent a silent, stealthy disease — every woman over 30 should know about it
It's time to get hip to this bone density and body composition test. Osteoporosis may seem like an old person's problem — the 'silent' condition gradually reduces bone mass and density, making your inner scaffolding weaker, thinner and more prone to fractures. The disease is actually becoming increasingly common among younger people due to poor eating habits, certain underlying health issues and medication use. Advertisement Dr. Pooja Gidwani, a concierge physician in L.A., is particularly worried about women taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, which can cause a decrease in bone density along with rapid weight loss. 8 Osteoporosis makes bones weaker, thinner and more prone to fractures. It's becoming more prevalent in younger people. Evgeniy Kalinovskiy – She recommends women undergo a 'baseline' dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan in their early to mid-30s to help predict future health risks. The test measures the strength and quality of bones while also quantifying body fat, lean mass and visceral fat. Advertisement 'It's a favorite in research, clinical medicine and elite athletic programs for this reason,' Gidwani told The Post. Here's everything you need to know about this enlightening technology. How does a DEXA scan work? An X-ray provides detailed images of bone shape and structure, but it cannot accurately measure bone density or forecast fracture risk. Advertisement 8 In a DEXA scan (shown here), a high-energy and a low-energy X-ray beam are directed at your bones as you lie still on a padded table. dizfoto1973 – A DEXA scan harnesses the power of X-rays to reveal a clearer picture of bone strength. The machine directs two X-ray beams, one high-energy and one low-energy, at your bones as you lie still on a padded table. Advertisement The beams are absorbed by bone and soft tissue at different rates. The scanner detects this difference and calculates bone mineral density and body composition with an error rate typically within 1% to 2%. 'The scan is painless, noninvasive and usually takes less than 30 minutes start to finish,' Gidwani said. 'It uses far less radiation than a standard X-ray and is designed to catch bone loss well before it becomes visible or leads to fractures.' 8 Dr. Pooja Gidwani, a concierge physician in L.A., suggests women in their 30s undergo a DEXA scan, especially if they are taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Courtesy of Dr. Pooja Gidwani Gidwani noted that the exam doesn't involve injections or contrast dyes. She advised getting scanned in the morning. These tests are generally not recommended for pregnant women, and calcium supplement users may need to stop taking the tablets 24 hours beforehand. What can a DEXA scan reveal? Advertisement DEXA scans are primarily used to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis and osteopenia, a milder, earlier stage of bone loss. It can also detect nuanced conditions such as: Sarcopenia: low skeletal muscle mass Sarcopenic obesity: low muscle and high fat Osteosarcopenic obesity: low muscle, low bone density and high fat Abnormal visceral fat distribution linked to metabolic disease Unexplained fractures or suspected secondary osteoporosis (due to medications, hormonal disorders, etc.) 8 DEXA scans are primarily used to diagnose and monitor osteoporosis and osteopenia, a milder, earlier stage of bone loss, but they can also detect other concerning conditions. RFBSIP – Advertisement 'It's more reliable than body fat scales and more detailed than MRI for whole-body composition,' Gidwani said of DEXA. 'Its precision makes it ideal for tracking changes over time, especially during weight loss, strength training or hormone transitions like perimenopause and menopause.' Should I get a DEXA scan if I'm otherwise healthy? Bone mass tends to peak around age 30. The bone remodeling process continues, but the breakdown of old bone starts to slightly outpace the formation of new bone. Advertisement Genetics and personal habits such as diet, exercise, cigarette use and alcohol consumption influence bone health. Hormonal shifts — particularly a decrease in estrogen — can accelerate bone breakdown. 'Estrogen levels can begin to fluctuate in the mid-to-late 30s,' Gidwani explained, 'due to a range of factors, including early or natural perimenopausal transition, chronic stress, postpartum recovery, disrupted ovulatory cycles, low body fat, overtraining or preexisting gynecological or endocrine conditions like PCOS or hypothalamic amenorrhea.' 8 Hormonal shifts — particularly a decline in estrogen — can accelerate bone breakdown. Estrogen levels decrease in menopause. Valerii Honcharuk – Advertisement Women are also at risk of early bone density decline if they have a family history of early osteoporosis, a lack of strength training, insufficient calcium, protein or vitamin D intake, disordered eating, sedentary behavior or rapid weight loss. GLP-1 drugs, which suppress appetite, can cause speedy slimdowns. 'While GLP-1s can be incredibly helpful when done right, they can also lead to unintended losses in lean muscle and bone density if not paired with proper nutrition and resistance training,' said Gidwani, who treats women on GLP-1s and focuses on hormone health and longevity. 'In women in their 30s and 40s using GLP-1s,' she added, 'DEXA is especially valuable for detecting early loss of muscle or bone, often long before symptoms or complications arise.' 8 The loss of bone mass can accompany rapid weight loss with GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Wild Awake – Gidwani said she's seen female patients as young as 32 show low bone density on scans. For men, Gidwani suggests that those with a family history of osteopenia/osteoporosis, a history of fractures, long-term steroid use, low muscle mass, very low testosterone or long-term GLP-1 use consider a DEXA scan earlier than the standard guideline of age 70. Where can I get a DEXA scan? Hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, women's health or endocrinology clinics and increasingly, wellness and fitness centers offer DEXA scans. 'Companies like BodySpec and DexaFit specialize in mobile or consumer-accessible DEXA scanning, often used for fitness tracking,' Gidwani said. 'Just be sure to confirm whether the scan is being done for diagnostic purposes (bone density) or wellness (body composition).' DEXA costs vary widely, from $40 to $300 or more out of pocket, depending on the facility, the extent of the scan and the specific reason for it. 8 Dismissing bone health in youth can lead to significant problems later in life. zinkevych – Scans are typically covered by insurance for women over the age of 65, men older than 70, postmenopausal women with risk factors, people with certain medical conditions or those taking medications that increase fracture risk. 'Hopefully, as awareness around early bone loss and changes in body composition increases (especially in the context of GLP-1 use and hormonal shifts in younger women),' Gidwani said, 'screening guidelines will begin to reflect this need for earlier, proactive intervention.' What are the treatment options for low bone density? If a scan reveals low bone density, the first step is to identify the cause. 8 Strength training stimulates bone growth and slows bone loss. Microgen – Gidwani said a treatment plan typically includes: Strength training to improve bone and muscle Increased protein intake — aim for at least 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight, especially if you're on GLP-1s or losing weight. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation Hormone therapy, particularly for perimenopausal and postpartum patients Fall prevention and balance training Lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking and addressing nutritional deficiencies In moderate to severe cases, medications like bisphosphonates and denosumab slow bone breakdown while teriparatide stimulates the formation of new bone. 'In your 30s or 40s, the most impactful strategy is prevention,' Gidwani said, 'identifying early losses, tailoring lifestyle interventions and checking progress over time with repeat DEXA scans.'
