Latest Posts
- Ask your dentist what you will be paying after you have reached your calendar-year maximumDentists in many states can effectively ask you to pay the full un-discounted billed rate, rather than the negotiated rate, after you have reached your calendar-year maximum, even if the dentist is in-network. Let’s say…
- Communicate with your nurse and doctor to prevent delays with your hospital dischargeHospital discharges often take a long time, and may even extend your hospital stay to another day. Often you’re ready to go, but something is hung up. The best analogy is the similar problem around…
- Know what your individual and family deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums areBelow is the definition of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums: Not all items are equal in being included in your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum: What counts towards your deductible What does not count to your deductible…
Primary Care
- For which illnesses is it still better to be seen in-person?With the COVID-19 outbreak, many physician practices have promoted virtual care. Indeed these can be very beneficial to patients and you may not think more of it when you are asked to convert your visit…
- How to be seen on time by your doctorIt is not uncommon to have to wait 30 or even 60 minutes at a doctor’s office. This is due to a number of factors: Appointment schedules that are not optimized or designed for how…
- Your current doctor is your best resource to knowing the best doctors in your areaFinding a new doctor in your area can be overwhelming. There can be dozens of primary care physicians in your immediate urban area, and a handful of specialists for your specific condition. Finding the right…
Learn the basics of Primary Care
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How to get an appointment with your doctor faster
You call your physician to schedule an appointment, only to be told that the next appointment is a week away! Or you call your doctor about a fever, only for them to say that the next appointment is two days away! The reality is that every doctor’s office wants to fill their schedule, and it’s…
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How to see a PCP without insurance
You can go to any primary care office and negotiate a cash rate. Many give a 30-50% discount off their list price if you call and ask before you go. But the real answer you’re probably looking for is to go to a community health center (CHC). A community health center is just like any…
Specialists
- For which illnesses is it still better to be seen in-person?With the COVID-19 outbreak, many physician practices have promoted virtual care. Indeed these can be very beneficial to patients and you may not think more of it when you are asked to convert your visit…
- How to be seen on time by your doctorIt is not uncommon to have to wait 30 or even 60 minutes at a doctor’s office. This is due to a number of factors: Appointment schedules that are not optimized or designed for how…
- Read what doctors are reading about your conditionThe best evidence-based, online resource for patients is uptodate.com. Unfortunately it is not free. The price is about $50 for a 30-day period. But many introductory articles are free. The unfortunate truth about many health…
Learn the basics about Specialists
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How to succinctly communicate how you feel to your doctor
When you’re not feeling well, the last thing you think about is stopping and taking time to document how you’re feeling. You’re just not feeling well! But for providers to give their most accurate diagnosis, it is helpful for you to document your symptoms over time, and in a detailed fashion. Here’s a quick mnemonic…
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If your specialist is part of a hospital network, check if they charge a facility fee
Many specialist offices are owned by a large hospital network. This allows them to classify the office as an outpatient center, as opposed to an independent facility, and charge what’s called a facility fee. That means you may be getting two bills: one from the doctor and one from the facility or practice. The original…
Hospitals
- Communicate with your nurse and doctor to prevent delays with your hospital dischargeHospital discharges often take a long time, and may even extend your hospital stay to another day. Often you’re ready to go, but something is hung up. The best analogy is the similar problem around…
- How to prevent top three medical mistakes you may encounterThere are a few categories of medical errors common to hospitals and doctor’s offices. Here are the top three to watch out for and how to prevent them: Medication related errors Medications are becoming more…
- How global billing may affect the costs of pregnancyThe way many insurance companies reimburse hospitals for maternity services may be different than routine doctor’s visits. Instead of the hospital billing the insurance company for every procedure and visit, they agree with the insurance…
Learn the basics about Hospitals
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Protect yourself from being on the receiving end of a medical mistake
You must be the advocate for your own health. As great as doctors are, they see dozens of patients a day, or hundreds a month. You must know what is going into and happening with your own body. Here are some concrete steps to prevent a medical mistake from happening to you: Before any procedure,…
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Know the different levels of emergency care
When you have an emergency, you have many more options than simply going to the emergency room. You should be aware of all the levels of options available, because the emergency room is one of the most expensive options to use. With many patients having high-deductible insurance plans, an ER visit may start in the…
Insurance
- Ask your dentist what you will be paying after you have reached your calendar-year maximumDentists in many states can effectively ask you to pay the full un-discounted billed rate, rather than the negotiated rate, after you have reached your calendar-year maximum, even if the dentist is in-network. Let’s say…
- Know what your individual and family deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums areBelow is the definition of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums: Not all items are equal in being included in your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum: What counts towards your deductible What does not count to your deductible…
- You do not have to elect COBRA coverage right awayAfter you leave your job, by law you have 60 days to elect COBRA health insurance continuation coverage. COBRA insurance is usually much more expensive than your monthly premiums because you are also paying your…
Learn the basics about Insurance
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Reduce your chance of being balance billed
Balance billing is when a healthcare provider charges you a bill even after your insurance has paid them. Balance billing often happens when the physician or health care company is out-of-network. That is, the insurance company did not have a price contract with that specific health care provider or company. Nobody wins in this situation,…
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How to see a PCP without insurance
You can go to any primary care office and negotiate a cash rate. Many give a 30-50% discount off their list price if you call and ask before you go. But the real answer you’re probably looking for is to go to a community health center (CHC). A community health center is just like any…
Pricing
- How much this author’s family spent to have a babyWith some creativity, frugality, and generous friends you can keep the cost of having a child low. The key is choosing a low out-of-pocket maximum health insurance plan during open enrollment the year before. Item…
- Know the cost of an ambulance before you need itMany Americans are hesitant to call an ambulance because of the unknown costs, preferring a family member to take them. This is ultimately a decision you need to make, but what can help is knowing…
- Your options when you get asked to pay before you are seenWith more patients on higher deductible plans, more and more providers are asking patients to either pay a part of the cost upfront, or for a credit/debit card to be put on file. Note: this…
Learn the basics about Pricing
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You have the right to say no to expensive diagnostic and treatment options
You have the right to say no and select more affordable diagnostic and treatment options, even against your doctor’s wishes, after considering the risk and benefits of each procedure. Exceptions include certain emergencies, and if you are generally not competent enough to make an informed decision. While many such decisions are made in life or…
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Price shop for all non-emergent health visits
Health care prices in the United States vary widely, even the negotiated (or contracted) rate between an insurance company and a healthcare provider. Always get multiple estimates for non-emergent care. This applies even for those with insurance because you may have a deductible. Below are some examples. Note that what you actually pay also depends…
Dental and Vision
- Ask your dentist what you will be paying after you have reached your calendar-year maximumDentists in many states can effectively ask you to pay the full un-discounted billed rate, rather than the negotiated rate, after you have reached your calendar-year maximum, even if the dentist is in-network. Let’s say…
- Determine if your dental and vision problems are instead billed under your medical insuranceThe US health insurance is complicated because you often have a separate medical, dental, and vision plan. And each of your three insurances are usually from three different insurance companies! They each cover different medical…