Article – December Newsletter

Winter weather is here and it’s a great time to try convenient video conferencing for many types of medical appointments

The hassles and time constraints of medical appointments are always compounded in the winter. Slippery roads and below-freezing temperatures are not factors that encourage patients to make medical appointments.

Now Life Medical patients can conduct many types of medical appointments in the comfort of their own homes!

We offer video appointments using a cloud-based conferencing platform called Zoom. This service allows our providers to have video appointments with patients on a totally secure platform. Because Zoom is HIPAA compliant the appointments are treated and billed the same way that in-office appointments are treated as far as insurance/health plans are concerned.

Zoom has been adopted by many healthcare clinics and organizations around the globe, and this secured platform incorporates a host of security protections to ensure protected health information (PHI) is safeguarded.

Call our office at 952-933-8900 to make an appointment or ask us a question about Zoom appointments.


Audio Visual Entrainment Therapy is a new cutting edge alternative therapy for patients with ADHD, PTSD, anxiety and insomnia.

Patients can take advantage of a new Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE) therapy. It is helpful in ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, insomnia and other conditions.

This effective, drug-free alternative therapy utilizes technology that helps settle hyperactivity, promote relaxation and improve mood and logical thinking. The device is the result of many years of research and studies. Two separate studies have shown that ADHD behaviors were reduced significantly with AVE. Patients with PTSD can also benefit from this therapy. Sessions can be designed to stimulate or calm the left, right or both hemispheres of the brain depending on the patients’ symptoms.

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of the initial session using “The David Alert” system. If patients feel they are benefitted from AVE therapy they can purchase the device for under $400.

Ask Dr. Mirman or one of the psychologists at Life Medical if you are interested in trying this new therapy.
For more information or to make an appointment for an initial session call Life Medical at 952-933-8900.

As of August 2020 the Minnesota Department of Health will allow two new medical cannabis delivery systems, giving patients more options.

These two options are: water-soluble cannabinoid multi-particulates (for example, granules, powders and sprinkles) and orally dissolvable products such as lozenges, gums, mints, buccal tablets and sublingual tablets.“

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED AS A QUALIFYING CONDITION FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced that it has added Alzheimer’s disease as a new qualifying condition for the state’s medical cannabis program.

“Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “However, there is some evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis to improve the mood, sleep and behavior of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.”

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects elderly people. It is the most common cause of dementia. Other symptoms include cognitive impairment, delusion, depression and agitation. The MDH research brief cited two available studies, which found that after cannabis use, some Alzheimer’s patients saw improvements in disruptive nighttime behaviors and agitation.

As with the program’s other qualifying conditions, patients will need advance certification from a Minnesota health care provider.

The current list of qualifying conditions includes:

  • Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
  • Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year
  • Intractable pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Alzheimer’s disease
NEW CONDITIONS TO BE APPROVED IN AUGUST 2020:
  • Chronic pain
  • Macular degeneration