Health care Archives

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Why we love John Oliver OR How to get a free lunch!

The Insurance Mom is a big fan of “Last Week Tonight” with John Oliver. I thoroughly enjoyed his expose (which aired on 2/8/15) about the relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. The gist is this . . . it has been a long-time practice of pharmaceutical companies buying doctors lavish lunches, providing divine holidays, inviting… Continue reading Why we love John Oliver OR How to get a free lunch!

Revisiting A Short Course on LTC

Now that we have a bit of a handle on Open Enrollment for health insurance, I am getting nostalgic on my old blog posts and found this goodie on LTC: Did you know that at least 60% to 70% of people over 65 will eventually need long term care, either at home or in a… Continue reading Revisiting A Short Course on LTC

Will YOU Be My Doctor?!

ALL networks are getting skinner and anorexic, reducing your choices for 2015. In 2014, the biggest problem with doctor networks came with plans purchased on Covered CA. It was hard to determine if your doctor took the Covered CA plans. The Covered CA search engine was incorrect and removed from the website. Some doctors only… Continue reading Will YOU Be My Doctor?!

Rates, Schmates! What About Doctor Networks?!

With all the changes in health insurance, everyone seems to be talking only about monthly premiums. But what about access to your favorite doctors who may not be in your plan’s network anymore? You may be seeing a lot of ads on Proposition 45, which has to do with how rates are regulated (see my… Continue reading Rates, Schmates! What About Doctor Networks?!

How Much Will it Cost to Get Covered in 2015?

If you know anything about the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), you know that the next Open Enrollment period is coming up (Nov. 15th – Feb. 15th for a Jan. 1st and later start date.) Everyone’s first question to me is “how much will my monthly premium be?” We don’t have enough info yet to compare. … Continue reading How Much Will it Cost to Get Covered in 2015?

Are you OK with one person taking control of what happens to your medical bills?

I don’t think I’ve ever politicized a blog post. This could be a first. So you’ve gotta know how important it must be. Proposition 45 will be on the ballot in November. Prop 45 is a flawed, deceptive measure that will increase costs for consumers and (maybe) harm the quality of our health care. A… Continue reading Are you OK with one person taking control of what happens to your medical bills?

Long-Term Care Clarity!

Does Medicare cover long-term care expenses? The answer may surprise you! There was a neat article this week in the LA Times about Long-Term Care Insurance which spelled it out very nicely. If you haven’t given much thought to how you’d pay for long term care expenses, you’re not alone. Most of us haven’t.… Continue reading Long-Term Care Clarity!

Deadline approaching . . . get on it, kiddies!

Are you aware that the deadline for open enrollment to get health insurance is quickly approaching? Well then, you’re not alone! In a recent survey, 55% of Americans are unaware that they won’t be able to apply for health insurance after March 31st (unless after that date, they have a big life change like a… Continue reading Deadline approaching . . . get on it, kiddies!

Aetna Bites The Dust

Did you know? If you are in California and have an individual health insurance policy with Aetna, you are being abandoned on January 1, 2014. Because of certain provisions in ObamaCare (aka The Affordable Care Act aka ACA), Aetna has decided to get out of the California individual market (can anyone say “profit margin”?) and… Continue reading Aetna Bites The Dust

Is Congress trying to hide from the Affordable Care Act?

Starting 1/1/14, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will make Congress members and their staffs buy their own health insurance (for the first time ever!). And they have to use the new public exchanges to do it. BUT.. they’re all in a tizzy about what it’s going to cost them and are looking for ways to… Continue reading Is Congress trying to hide from the Affordable Care Act?