One of the regular columns in the the Health section of the New York Times is titled Patient Money, written by various writers. Today's article, written by Lesley Alderman, takes on the challenge of opining various cost-effective ways that regular people (patients in our case) can opt in hopes of getting a better night's sleep.

Alderman offers many ideas, including the usual do or don't do x or y suggestions. She also explains how the expensive options, such as buying a new mattress or buying into expensive un-proven methods like herbs or guru 'doctors' should be avoided as well.

What this article really offers to payers and hospitals is the idea that evidence-based medicine is the only way to conduct healthcare. As Alderman points out, it is vital for the patient to get the best and most cost effective care he or she can get so that the patient doesn't get swallowed up and taken for granted in a $23.8 billion industry like sleep.

Using an independent review organization is a lot what Alderman did in her article: At AllMed, we use evidence-based medicine and clinically-proven tried-and-trued practices that help payers and hospitals make the right and most cost-effective decisions in health care practice.

To read Alderman's full article, click here. Maybe you'll learn a tip or two about curing your own insomnia: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/06/health/06patient.html?_r=1&ref=health