Many people think of health insurance in terms of covering doctor’s appointments and prescription drugs, but the most important function of health insurance is, arguably, to cover catastrophic emergencies. The images of towns ravaged and people struggling to protect themselves against Hurricane Sandy are striking reminders of the power of …
Five Things to Consider During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is underway—it began on 10/15/12 and runs through 12/07/12. It is important to understand that, in most cases, making changes to your Medicare Advantage plan can only be done during the AEP. Below is a list of important things to consider during the annual …
Electronic Health Records Give Patients Greater Access to Their Health Information
Doctors and hospitals are saying goodbye to the old paper charts that once filled the back office from floor to ceiling and are increasingly adopting electronic health records (EHR) systems instead. This is good news for patients, since electronic health records are transforming patient-doctor relationships by giving patients greater access …
California Moves Forward with Health Insurance Exchange
The primary goal of the Affordable Care Act is to make purchasing health insurance easier and more accessible. Health Insurance Exchanges will help facilitate this by enabling people to search for and compare private health plans and enroll in a comprehensive plan. This will be especially helpful for small businesses …
Braces: Are They in Your Child’s Future?
Orthodontists estimate that up to 45% of children need braces to fix serious dental issues like misalignment and other potentially debilitating dental problems. But there are additional health benefits of wearing braces beyond simply correcting functional issues. Having straight teeth boosts kids’ confidence and self-esteem, and teeth that aren’t crowded …
Affordable Care Act Expands Preventive Services for Women
Good news for women: Recent changes to the Affordable Care Act will expand access to essential services. This is especially important considering that women are more likely to need preventive health services, yet are less likely to be able to pay for those services because they have a lower average …
What are the Differences between an HMO and a PPO?
Choosing between an HMO and PPO can be confusing. There are several major differences you should know about in order to make an informed decision. A Health Maintenance Organization, or HMO, is a managed care provider for health insurance that coordinates with health care providers on a prepaid basis. HMO …
Does the Healthcare Mandate Mean I Will Have to Buy Health Insurance?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has resulted in many changes to healthcare, including removing exclusions for pre-existing conditions and requiring plans to cover certain preventive services, such as colonoscopies and mammograms. The aim of the Affordable Care Act is to reduce costs and fraud, and ensure every American …
What is the Difference between Formulary and Non-Formulary Drugs?
A formulary is a list of drugs and supplies covered by a health insurance plan, and each plan has its own specific formulary. Non-formulary drugs are those that are not covered or that are covered a higher rate than formulary drugs. A plan with an “open formulary” may allow coverage …
Changes to Women’s Healthcare under the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act (frequently referred to as “Obamacare”) has resulted in the addition of many no-cost services in women’s health care. In August health insurance plans were required to add eight new benefits in addition to 14 other benefits that had already been added. The new benefits come at …