How We All Lost Our Focus—And How to Get It Back
It happened because I wasn't paying attention. Or rather, I was paying attention to too many things, which is the equivalent of heeding nothing at all: the baby on the counter; my seven-year-old 'washing' dirty dishes at the kitchen sink; the oven, which was slow to heat; the narrowing after-dinner homework window for my fifth grader's history project; the Slack notification that flashed above the recipe I was reading on my phone; and which institution was NPR reporting that Trump had just dismantled? Shouldn't I drop everything and tune into that? These were, ostensibly, my nonworking hours, but I was white-knuckling through them: Those collard greens that had been languishing in the fridge, they were going to get chopped and cooked tonight. Or maybe not, because a moment later, I was holding a dish towel tight to my hand after my knife slipped. I'd sliced the tip of my finger right off.
An emergency has a way of cutting out the noise, but to a lesser extent we are all teetering on this edge, the mind pulled in so many directions it can feel as though control has vanished from our grasp. And the research tells us we are heading one way: progressively, irrefutably, whittling away how long we can focus. In 2003, before smartphones were really on the scene, the average time a person spent on any one computer-related task before switching screens was two and a half minutes. Between 2016 and 2020, that interval fell to 47 seconds. How low can it go? Five seconds? One? What even is a task in the era of the scroll, that smooth and aimless motion? Art follows culture, or vice versa: The average shot in a movie in 1930 was 12 seconds; by 2010, it was less than four.
As an editor and writer I like to think I'm a focused person, professionally trained to pay close attention. And yet, I feel the pull of my phone when I'm sitting down with a novel, when I'm on a walk in the woods, when I'm trying to fly a kite with my kids. The other day, in an Uber, I watched, horrified, as the driver flicked through TikTok at a stoplight, but then, behind the wheel later that afternoon, I found myself checking my own emails in the sliver of time before the light turned from red to green.
This isn't just a problem because of the potential for accidents—though mistakes can be consequential even if you're not wielding a kitchen knife or driving a car. Doctors, pilots—they're just as distracted as the rest of us. Studies have shown that multitasking physicians make more errors when writing prescriptions, as do pilots when they're interrupted. There is also what researchers call '[switch cost](https://news.wfu.edu/2024/04/16/the-switch-cost-of-multitasking/#:~:text=A 'switch cost' is the,navigating in an unfamiliar city.)': the fact that we're less efficient at any task when we alternate between them. And then there's the fact that the constant toggle doesn't feel very good. To take just one physiological marker: Our blood pressure rises when we're pulled in multiple directions.
There's a philosophical way to think about this, elegantly outlined in The Sirens' Call, a book from MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes published earlier this year: 'The defining experience of the attention age is a…feeling that our very interior life, the direction of our thoughts, is being taken against our will,' Hayes writes. Basically, we are what we notice, and as we notice less—or are coerced or cajoled into noticing less by what amounts to a thousand marketing pings—we are fundamentally reduced. As William James put it in 1890: 'My experience is what I agree to attend to. Only those items which I notice shape my mind—without selective interest, experience is an utter chaos.'
Utter chaos—that resonates as a headline floating above my domestic tableau. And it's worse for those who shoulder the bulk of household work, who are disproportionately subject to 'the psychic equivalent of smartphone notifications,' says Allison Daminger, author of the forthcoming book What's on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life. She means those mental pings—We're low on milk. Isn't summer camp sign-up coming soon? Has our car registration expired?—one can't switch off.
But hope is not lost! For if we live in an era in which attention is fractured and commodified, we also live in an era in which people are beginning to bristle against unwelcome impositions. And as Hayes puts it: 'It's one of the axioms of American capitalism that where there is consumer demand, there will soon be businesses to serve it.'
Spas like the renowned Lanserhof in Tegernsee, Germany, now offer 'brain health' programs that function not only 'in the context of disease prevention,' says Lanserhof's Stefan Lorenzl, a neurologist and palliative care physician, 'but also in helping individuals achieve better resilience and attention in everyday life.' At the SHA wellness clinics in Mexico and Spain, cognitive and emotional health programs are in part geared toward helping guests manage daily distractions. Kamalaya Koh Samui, the Thai wellness retreat, recently opened a 'cognitive house' that offers everything from a high-tech electroencephalogram (or EEG) to sound therapy designed to encourage restful sleep. I pay a visit to the Aman spa in New York City, where a treatment utilizes marma-point therapy (an Ayurvedic technique similar to acupressure). A skilled therapist named Lauren explains that the treatment is as much about energy work as traditional massage, an approach that manifests in a surprising choreography of touch: light strokes around the base of the big toe, a pointed pressure along the inseam of my bicep, hot stones in the cradle of the belly. 'You have a lot of warmth emanating from the top of your head,' Lauren says, 'a lot of positive energy.' I left feeling good, the deep groove between my brows a bit less brutal.
I also stop by Lift, a minimalist, brick-walled flotation-therapy spot in Brooklyn, where an extremely zen attendant shows me to a giant egg-like pod containing 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts dissolved in 250 gallons of body-temp water in which I will be semi-submerged for an hour. 'What happens if I…don't like it?' I tentatively ask. 'You're required to stay,' he deadpans, then sensing my alarm, quickly switches tack: 'Nothing is mandatory!' He tells me, though, that he rarely has people emerge before their allotted time is up. First time for anything, I think to myself as I step into the saline waters. And then something happens: As I'm bobbing gently side to side, my mind clicks into a slower gear, the thoughts coming and going without their usual urgency; the minutes melt away, and when the automated message informs me that my session has finished, I am genuinely surprised. I emerge with the sensation that I've just done a satisfying round of yoga despite the fact I've barely moved.
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CBS News
11 minutes ago
- CBS News
How medical debt impacts your credit (and what you can do about it)
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're dealing with unpaid medical debt, it could hurt your credit — but there are ways to resolve the today's healthcare landscape, even a brief hospital visit can leave behind a mountain of bills. And with insurance not always covering everything — or in some cases, anything — many Americans are left grappling with medical debts they never expected to face. In 2024, about 20 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 12 adults, owed money for medical debt, according to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) survey. The impact of this type of debt can be more than financial, though. Medical debt often hits during a time of personal crisis — after an accident, illness or surgery — leaving people emotionally overwhelmed and financially vulnerable. And when those bills go unpaid, the stress can compound as collections calls start and credit scores begin to slip. For many, this debt is not the result of overspending or poor budgeting, but simply the price of getting necessary care. Luckily, recently updated credit reporting rules and a range of relief programs are starting to ease the burden for many patients. But it's still important to understand exactly how medical debt affects your credit and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Find out how to get help with your debt problems today. How medical debt impacts your credit Medical debt used to be one of the quickest ways to damage your credit score. Even small unpaid bills could end up in collections and drag down your credit for years. But relatively recent changes from the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — have shifted how this type of debt is handled. Here's what changed: Paid medical collections no longer appear on credit reports. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. There's now a one-year waiting period. Medical bills sent to collections won't be added to your credit report for 12 months, giving you time to resolve them or work out a payment plan. Smaller debts are excluded. Medical collections under $500 no longer appear on credit reports at all. These reforms mean that unpaid medical bills might not damage your credit as quickly or as severely as they once did. Still, if a large medical balance goes unresolved for too long, it can eventually show up on your report and lower your credit score, especially if you don't take action during that one-year grace period. It's also important to know that while medical debt is handled differently than credit card or loan debt, lenders don't necessarily make that distinction. A collection is a collection, and any mark on your credit report can impact your ability to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment or even land certain jobs. Explore your debt relief options with the help of an expert now. What you can do about your medical debt If you're struggling with medical debt, you have options. Taking action sooner rather than later can help you avoid collections and limit the potential damage to your credit score. Here are some strategies worth considering: Review and negotiate your bills Start by carefully reviewing every bill for errors or duplicate charges. Medical billing mistakes are surprisingly common. If something doesn't look right, call the provider or hospital's billing department and ask for an itemized statement. Once you verify the charges, see if the provider will negotiate. Many are willing to offer discounts for prompt payment, set up interest-free payment plans or even reduce what you owe if you demonstrate financial hardship. Apply for financial assistance Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs to eligible patients. If you're low-income or facing financial hardship, you may qualify for partial or full forgiveness, even if the bill has already gone to collections. Ask your provider's billing office for an application. Consider a debt relief program If your medical debt is substantial or you're juggling multiple types of unsecured debt, a debt relief program, like debt settlement, may be worth exploring. Debt settlement programs work by negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than the full amount owed. There are also debt relief programs that consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment, which can make them easier to manage. Keep in mind, however, that while debt settlement can help resolve medical collections, it may come with risks, such as fees, tax implications and temporary credit score drops, so it's important to work with a reputable provider and understand the trade-offs. Monitor your credit Your credit report should reflect any paid or settled medical debts accurately, but that may not always be the case. So, be sure to check your credit report regularly to ensure no incorrect medical collections are listed. If you spot an error, dispute it with the credit bureau directly. The bottom line Medical debt can feel uniquely unfair, as it often comes out of nowhere and hits when you're least prepared. But while it has the potential to hurt your credit, changes in how this debt is reported now offer more breathing room. You still need to act quickly and proactively, but there's a path forward even when the bills seem insurmountable. From negotiating with providers to seeking financial aid or working with a debt relief program, there are ways to tackle medical debt without wrecking your financial future. So, know your options and use the time you have before those bills end up on your credit report to tackle the issue before it compounds.
Health Line
16 minutes ago
- Health Line
CHAMPVA and Medicare: Which Is Primary?
You can use CHAMPVA and Medicare at the same time. When you use Medicare together with CHAMPVA, Medicare is the primary payer. CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing health coverage program for some military families who don't qualify for TRICARE. You can use CHAMPVA with Medicare when you're eligible for both programs. CHAMPA will be the secondary payer to Medicare and will pay most of your out-of-pocket costs. Since there are no additional premiums if you qualify for CHAMPVA, using it alongside Medicare can significantly lower your healthcare costs. Glossary of common Medicare terms Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount you pay for care when Medicare doesn't pay the full cost or offer coverage. It includes premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Premium: This is the monthly amount you pay for Medicare coverage. Deductible: This is the annual amount you must spend out of pocket before Medicare begins to cover services and treatments. Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs you're responsible for paying out of pocket. With Medicare Part B, you typically pay 20%. Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount you pay when receiving certain treatments or services. With Medicare, this often applies to prescription medications. What is CHAMPVA? The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a healthcare plan for certain dependents of veterans. CHAMPVA is a different program from TRICARE, which also services military members, veterans, and their families. TRICARE eligibility is open to people who are: active or retired uniformed service members spouses or children of active or retired uniformed service members members of the Army National Guard or Reserve spouses or children of Army National Guard or Reserve members spouses or children of deceased military members certain former spouses of military members Medal of Honor recipients spouses and children of Medal of Honor recipients You can't use CHAMPVA if you have or are eligible for TRICARE. CHAMPVA helps cover certain dependents who aren't eligible for TRICARE. For example, service members who leave active duty under certain conditions might not qualify for TRICARE. However, if they have a disability caused by their service, their family may be able to enroll in CHAMPVA. How does CHAMPVA work with Medicare? Since 2001, CHAMPVA beneficiaries have been able to use their coverage after turning 65 years old. This means CHAMPVA can be used alongside Medicare. You'll need to be enrolled in Medicare to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. Here are the rules for how that works: If you turned age 65 before June 5, 2001, and did not have Medicare Part B at the time, you only need to be enrolled in Medicare Part A to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. If you turned age 65 before June 5, 2001, and were already enrolled in Part B at that time, you need to be enrolled in both Part A and Part B to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. If you turned 65 years old after June 5, 2001, you need to be enrolled in parts A and B to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. Example For example, let's say you turned 65 years old in 1999 and enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. You won't be able to drop your Part B coverage and keep your CHAMPVA coverage. However, if you turned age 65 in 1999 and enrolled in only Part A, you wouldn't need to sign up for Part B to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. You can use CHAMPVA alongside: Original Medicare (parts A and B) Medicare Advantage (Part C) Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage It's important to note that CHAMPVA won't pay for the cost of your Part B premium. You should also know that you can no longer use VA healthcare facilities or healthcare professionals once you're enrolled in Medicare. What services does CHAMPVA cover? CHAMPVA is a cost-sharing health insurance program. This means it will pay a portion of the cost of health services you receive, and you'll pay the remaining amount. You won't pay a premium for CHAMPVA, but there is a $50 deductible before coverage kicks in. After you pay your deductible, CHAMPVA will pay what's known as the 'allowable amount' for all covered services. Generally, CHAMPVA will pay 75% of the allowable amount, and you'll pay the other 25%. Covered services include: hospital stays primary care doctor visits specialist visits lab work skilled nursing care home care ambulance transportation mental health services prescription drugs There are two other completely covered benefits: Hospice care from any provider is 100% covered under CHAMPVA. You can also get prescription coverage at no cost to you if you use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Meds by Mail program, if you have no other prescription drug coverage. Coverage works differently if you use CHAMPVA alongside another health insurance plan, including Medicare. When you use CHAMPVA with another insurance plan, CHAMPVA becomes what's called a secondary payer. This means your other insurance plan will be billed first, and CHAMPVA will then pay the remaining cost. This can save you a lot of money on out-of-pocket medical expenses like copayments or coinsurance amounts. Who pays first for healthcare costs? Medicare is the primary payer when you use it with CHAMPVA. This means Medicare will be the first to pay the cost of any service you receive, and then CHAMPVA will pay the rest. You'll have very few out-of-pocket costs using CHAMPVA and Medicare together since CHAMPVA will generally pay any copayments or coinsurance amounts. You can expect to pay: nothing out of pocket for any service that both Medicare and CHAMPVA cover your Medicare coinsurance cost of 20% for a service Medicare covers, but CHAMPVA doesn't your CHAMPVA cost sharing of 25% for anything CHAMPVA covers, but Medicare doesn't The same rules apply to Medicare Part D. CHAMPVA will pick up your copayments on all covered prescriptions. It will also pay 75% of the cost of prescriptions that your Medicare Part D plan doesn't cover. Present both your Medicare Part D plan card and your CHAMPVA ID card at your in-network pharmacy for coverage. Getting your coverage questions answered If you're not sure who will pay for a service, you can check ahead of time by: calling Medicare's Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center at 855-798-2627 (TTY: 855-797-2627) calling CHAMPVA customer care at 800-733-8387, Monday through Friday from 8:05 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time What about Medicare Advantage? You can use your CHAMPVA coverage with a Medicare Advantage plan. Since Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare, having an Advantage plan still meets the requirement to be enrolled in Medicare to keep CHAMPVA once you're age 65. Your Medicare Advantage plan will be the primary payer, just like when you have Original Medicare. CHAMPVA will pay your copayments and other out-of-pocket costs. Your bill will go to your Medicare Advantage plan first and then to CHAMPVA. In most cases, you won't have any out-of-pocket costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D coverage. When you use a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D along with CHAMPVA, your CHAMPVA benefits will pick up the cost of your prescription copayments. Medicare Advantage plans often have networks. The network includes all the providers that your Medicare Advantage plan will cover healthcare services. In many cases, you'll need to pay out of pocket for any services you receive from an out-of-network provider. However, when you use CHAMPVA along with your Medicare Advantage plan, you can often get 75% of the cost of out-of-network services covered. How do I choose the right coverage options for me? You need to enroll in Original Medicare (parts A and B) to keep your CHAMPVA coverage. You can also choose to enroll in additional Medicare parts, such as: Medicare Advantage Medigap Medicare Part D The best option for you will depend on your personal needs and budget. Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Medicare Part D plans have their own premiums, deductibles, and other costs. CHAMPVA can cover some of these costs, but not your premiums. You might not even need additional Medicare parts if you're using CHAMPVA. For example, Medigap plans are designed to cover the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare parts A and B. However, since CHAMPVA already does this when you use it alongside Medicare, you might not need a Medigap plan. Here are some other common scenarios to consider: Original Medicare + CHAMPVA Let's say you have CHAMPVA and Medicare parts A and B, and you choose not to enroll in any other Medicare plans. You'd pay the Medicare Part B premium, and Medicare would be your primary payer for all covered services. You could get prescriptions for 25% of the allowable amount at a pharmacy or completely covered if you use the Meds by Mail program using only CHAMPVA. Original Medicare + Part D + CHAMPVA You have CHAMPVA, Medicare parts A and B, and a Part D plan. You'd pay the Medicare Part B premium and the premium for your Part D plan. Medicare would be the primary payer for services and prescriptions. CHAMPVA would pick up your copayments and coinsurance amounts. Medicare Advantage + CHAMPVA You have CHAMPVA and a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage. You'd pay the Medicare Part B premium plus the premium for your Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare would be the primary payer for your services and prescriptions. CHAMPVA would pay your copayments and coinsurance. Ways to save on Medicare coverage It's worth noting that you may be able to find Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans in your area with $0 premiums. You can shop for plans in your area on the Medicare website and compare prices, networks, and covered services before you commit to a plan. You can also look for savings on your Medicare coverage. You might qualify for programs to help lower your costs if you have a limited income. These programs include: Extra Help, which lowers your prescription drug costs Medicare savings programs, which can lower your costs for parts A and B Ultimately, the right plan for you depends on your needs and your budget. You'll want to select a plan that includes: the doctors you want to see any prescriptions you take any services you need You can also search for premiums in your price range, and those with out-of-pocket costs you can manage. How do I know if I'm eligible for CHAMPVA? You're eligible for CHAMPVA if you're the dependent child or the current or widowed spouse of a veteran who meets one of these conditions: is permanently and totally disabled from a service-related injury or disability was permanently and totally disabled from a service-related injury or disability at the time of their death died from service-related injury or disability died during active duty is not eligible for TRICARE There is no premium cost for CHAMPVA coverage. You can apply for CHAMPVA at any time. You'll need to send in an application along with documents that prove your eligibility. Depending on your circumstances, these might include: service records marriage records birth certificates You'll also need to send in information about any other insurance plan you currently have. Your application will generally be processed in 3 to 6 weeks. If your application is approved, you will receive a CHAMPVA card in the mail. As soon as your card arrives, you can start using CHAMPVA coverage. The takeaway When you use CHAMPVA with Medicare, CHAMPVA acts as the secondary payer. CHAMPVA doesn't cover Medicare premiums but will cover most of your other out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. CHAMPVA pays 75% of the cost of most services. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
The Hill
16 minutes ago
- The Hill
Nearly 100 House Democrats urge RFK Jr. to restore millions in family planning grants
A group of nearly 100 House Democrats is calling on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restore tens of millions of dollars in federal family planning grants to more than a dozen organizations that have been frozen for more than two months. In a letter to Kennedy sent on Friday and seen first by The Hill, 95 lawmakers said the organizations which had their Title X funding frozen on March 31 — including nine Planned Parenthood clinics — are still in the dark about the status of their grants. At the time, the clinics said they received letters from the administration saying the grants were being 'temporarily withheld' due to possible civil right violations and President Trump's executive orders prohibiting the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and 'taxpayer subsidization of open borders.' More than two months later, the lawmakers said the grantees 'remain without funding and have received no communication from the administration regarding the status of the investigations, the expected timeline, or the future of their funding.' HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 'Congress has already appropriated these funds, and the administration has a responsibility to distribute them without undue delay or obstruction, ensuring that critical care is not disrupted for millions of people who rely on Title X services,' the group of lawmakers wrote. The letter was led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas) and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), and signed by 91 other Democrats. Title X is the country's only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control and other sexual and reproductive health care to low-income Americans and has done so since the 1970s. The lawmakers timed the letter to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut, which established a constitutional right to privacy regarding contraception and reproductive decisions. 'However, due to the actions of this administration, reproductive freedom is under threat,' the lawmakers wrote. The first Trump administration prohibited providers from receiving Title X funding if they mentioned abortion or referred patients for abortions. It also required clinics to construct separate facilities for the procedure and other services. More than a dozen grantees, including all Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide, left the program in protest because of the rule. The Biden administration reversed Trump's Title X rule in 2021.
