
In this Q&A, Jessica Vazzaz explained what evidence supports sonic sleep aids, who benefits and what payers should demand before covering sleep-disorder apps.

Briana Contreras is an editor at Managed Healthcare Executive, where she covers the clinical, business and policy developments that matter to payers and health plan leaders, with an additional focus in multiple clinical spaces. Her reporting spans from new cancer therapies and clinical trial data to drug affordability and biosimilars, pharmacy benefit management (PBM) and health plan operations, giving healthcare executives clear context on how new evidence can affect coverage and care decisions.
Experience:
Before joining MHE in 2019, Briana was a reporter at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio, west of Cleveland, where she covered local government, community news and the issues affecting residents across Lorain and Erie counties. She reported on city council, downtown redevelopment, library and school projects, local business, nonprofits and breaking news in Elyria, Lorain and nearby communities.
Education:
Briana graduated from Cleveland State University with a B.A. in Journalism and Promotional Communication.

In this Q&A, Jessica Vazzaz explained what evidence supports sonic sleep aids, who benefits and what payers should demand before covering sleep-disorder apps.

FDA reviews tirabrutinib for relapsed/refractory primary CNS lymphoma under accelerated approval, with promising phase 2 response rates and a Dec. 2026 decision.

Jessica Vazzaz, a doctoral researcher and tutor in psychology at the University of Sussex, shared that health plans should require large, well-designed randomized trials before covering sonic sleep aids. She added that benefits are likely fair and could vary by individual, making it critical to understand who these tools actually help and under what conditions.

Real-world China study uses Markov modeling to show surgery may beat radiotherapy on cost per QALY for ESCC, despite higher upfront costs.

GLP-1 drugs boost health but challenge plastic surgery as rapid weight loss triggers facial sag and skin changes, prompting new options and lifestyle guidance.

Clinicians weigh sonic sleep tools: who benefits, how to use phone-based audio safely and why CBT-I stays first-line for insomnia.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs can trigger facial fat loss, deepening wrinkles and sagging; experts warn appearance concerns may reduce adherence and affect health outcomes.

COVID-19 care disruptions cut U.S. one-year cancer survival, adding 17,390 deaths; see which cancers and groups were hit hardest.

Study finds transfusion access drives hospice choices in advanced blood cancers, urging new models that offer palliative transfusions with comfort care.

Recent research compares sleep aids in apps—sonic sleep sounds, white noise and pink noise—and warns weak evidence may waste money and delay proven insomnia care.

Patients using GLP-1 medications may notice facial changes due to fat loss. Vasyukevich stresses education and options for maintaining a youthful appearance.

Ten Medicaid tech companies pledge over $600 million in support to help states meet new community engagement requirements and modernize eligibility systems.

Explore the impact of ACA tax credits on enrollment, premiums and healthcare access as Congress debates subsidy extensions for 2026 and beyond.

Urgent care spending surges over 50% from 2018 to 2022, driven by increased visits, highlighting its vital role in healthcare access.

Proposed Medicare Advantage payment updates spark concern among insurers and investors, raising questions about risk adjustment and potential impacts on beneficiaries.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2026 and is expected to account for an estimated 229,410 new cases.


Medicare's 2024 initiative to address health-related social needs faces challenges, with over 25% of claims denied, highlighting barriers to effective care.

Physician groups prioritize patient care leadership and Medicaid reforms for 2026, addressing workforce challenges and public health issues in upcoming legislation.

Research reveals oral probiotics and synbiotics improve atopic dermatitis symptoms, while studies on other skin conditions remain limited.

In a conversation with Abby Kim, Pharm.D., of Prime Therapeutics, she shared that oncology pharmacists bridge critical gaps in precision medicine, enhancing patient care by streamlining biomarker testing and ensuring timely access to effective treatments.

New research revealed that many genetic variants linked to inherited retinal diseases rarely cause vision loss, challenging previous assumptions about their impact.

Combining NB-UVB light therapy with ruxolitinib cream enhances skin repigmentation in vitiligo patients, showing promising results without safety concerns.

CHOP partners with Soar Autism Center to enhance early autism care access, reducing wait times and providing integrated therapy services for families.

Discover the effectiveness of sonic sleep aids, revealing which audio tools truly enhance sleep quality and which may not deliver on their promises.

A recent study reveals ustekinumab outperforms adalimumab and secukinumab in drug survival for psoriasis, guiding treatment decisions for patients.

Independence Blue Cross announces three out of five 2026 Clinical Care Innovation Grants to enhance healthcare access and outcomes through innovative projects by leading health systems.

AI transforms how Americans navigate the complex healthcare system, offering timely support and enhancing decision-making for patients and providers alike.

Telehealth transforms mental health care for Medicare patients, replacing in-person visits while increasing overall spending, according to recent research findings.

New research reveals how gastric cancer cells exploit WNT signaling for growth, revealing potential treatment targets to combat this deadly disease.