As of 7/1/12, you’re all going to have maternity benefits added to your existing coverage.  Wahoo!

Yes, it’s true… SB 222 and AB 210, passed last year by our illustrious governor, are going to give each and every one of you this brand new benefit in your health insurance.

The new benefit will include, office visits, prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care.    The benefits for maternity costs will be treated just like any other benefits under your plan… deductible and co-pays will still apply.

And to reassure your pretty little heads, because this benefit is being added to all plans – and, therefore, the cost risk is spread over many, many more policies – your monthly premiums should not be affected.

Babies for all!

Good news!  Anthem Blue Cross has announced that Hospital Corporation of America’s California hospitals once again participate in Anthem BC’s’ network.

In Southern California:

Anthem Blue Cross has been unable to re-negotiate its contracts with the following hospitals, so they are now considered out-of-network.

In Southern California:

Want to find the best price for your prescription at a pharmacy near you?   Type in the name of your drug and zip code.  Et voila!   You’ll see all of your local pharmacies and what they’re charging.  There are even handy coupons for some drugs.

Wouldn’t it be great to pay less than your insurance co-pay for prescriptions?    Yes, of course it would!

Another handy resource from The Insurance Mom to you!

MyRxSavings is a pretty cool prescription discount program.  Go to the site, print out your discount card and you’re off to the land of saving money!  You can even print out manufacturer’s discount coupons for some of your favorite drugs.     You’ll see coupons for as low as $4 for a 30-day supply of that expensive drug you’ve been taking for so long.

Instead of giving all of your money to the big pharma companies, let them pay for your drugs!   Be sure to read the fine print.  You can’t use the discount card or coupons in addition to discounts you may be already receiving from your health insurance plan or if you’re on Medicare.

Another great resource from me to you!

Because every January 1st most health insurance deductibles re-set to… ZERO!   That’s right.   No matter how much of your deductible you met this year, starting 1/1 most likely your deductible starts all over again.

It doesn’t have to be all bad, though.   Remember that your deductible simply represents medical expenses your doctors have submitted to your insurance company… NOT how you’ve paid the bill.   YOU decide how to pay off your bills; don’t let the doctor’s billing service tell you how to budget your money for their benefit.

Fight for your money!   Feel free to be in touch with The Insurance Mom to brainstorm this brilliant money management idea.

Happy New Year everyone!

The 17-year patent has finally expired… wahoo!  Now the drug is available in generic form.    Atorvastatin is the generic name to ask about at the doctor’s office or pharmacy.

Today’s health insurance plans usually have a “tiered” drug benefit.   Drugs on Tier 1 are the least expensive; most of them are generics.   Atorvastatin has been added to most formularies at the Tier 1 level, meaning they’re going to save you SO much money!

If your doctor insists that you continue to take the brand name drug Lipitor, well…   Tell your doctor you want him/her to pay for it!     Or give you free samples.    It’s been moved to Tier 3 in most formularies and is going to put a severe cramp in your monthly budget!

Fight for your money!  Spend less.  Use generic drugs.  It will not only cost you less but it will cost the insurance companies less too.  If we all insist on prescriptions for generics only, then the insurance companies spend less on ridiculously high-cost drugs and we could all have an impact on how insurance premiums rise every year.

And just think, if you’re spending less on prescriptions you’ll have more money available for sushi!

Ask your doctor if a generic drug is available and make sure it’s in the same class of drugs as the expensive brand name drug he wants to you to buy.

Generics have the same active ingredients, strengths and dose as the more expensive brand name versions.

A single manufacturer no longer holds the (17 year!) patent, so there’s more competition to keep the price down.

Tell your doctor that if he wants you to have a brand name drug, then spend his money not yours!  Or give you free samples.

Think about using a lab that isn’t located in or part of a hospital.

They’re often way less expensive than a hospital lab, and some health insurance plans have a lower co-pay for outside labs.

And many outside labs have more flexible hours, like when you need to go early in the morning before your half-caf-half-decaf-low-fat-vanilla-with-a-hint-of-cinammon-latte.

They can take less time than an emergency room, are open nights and weekends and could save you a TON o’money!