Medigap policies (also called Medicare Supplement Insurance) are health insurance plans designed to fill in the “gaps” of Original Medicare, such as copayment and deductible charges. It is important to note that Medigap is not a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage Plans, such as those offered through Anthem Blue Cross, …
Timeline of Changes under New Healthcare Law
Under the Affordable Care Act enacted in 2010, dozens of changes to the healthcare system have already gone into effect. Among these changes was the inclusion of provisions for free preventive care services on or after September 23, 2010, which includes mammograms and colonoscopies. Effective January 1, 2011 the law …
Patients with Health Insurance More Likely to Seek Preventive Care
It is undeniable that preventive care measures like diabetes and blood pressure screenings are vital services. The sad reality is that individuals and families without health insurance in California and nationwide are much less likely to obtain these vital services. Individuals can help prevent the onset of diseases like diabetes …
Oral Health Issues Can Indicate Serious Health Problems
Many people avoid seeing the dentist, especially those who don’t have dental insurance. Others are simply afraid of the disconcerting nature of having work done in the dentist’s chair. But skipping dental visits is a bad idea, especially in light of evidence that oral health problems can indicate more serious …
Many Preventive Services Covered Free by Original Medicare
If you have original Medicare you may be eligible for some preventive services free, under the Affordable Care Act. In addition to a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit during the first 12 months of Part B coverage, Medicare also offers tobacco use cessation counseling and annual wellness visits to help …
Hurricane Sandy is a Reminder that Everyone Needs Health Insurance
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 …