Health Archives

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PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

What’s with the alphabet soup? What’s it all mean? How will it inform your choices? Understanding the differences is essential to understanding health insurance. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) Say your toe hurts and you’re on an HMO. Where do you go first, the podiatrist? WRONG! With an HMO, you must get prior approval and referral to a… Continue reading PPO, HMO, or EPO? What’s in a name?!

Do you really need life insurance?

Is anyone dependent on your income, like a family member or creditor (like a mortgage lender or business loan)? No? You don’t need life insurance! Yes? I suggest you talk to a trusted insurance agent — aka EXPERT! — for recommendations. Do you want to protect your people for a set period of years, like… Continue reading Do you really need life insurance?

Is it possible to exercise your depression away?

Can exercise and depression go hand-in-hand? The Insurance Mom exercises six days a week, including some cardio, strength training and definitely Pilates! How often do YOU exercise? I know, I know, getting started is the hardest part. In the US, exercise is not counted as an initial form of treatment for depression. Nope, here in the… Continue reading Is it possible to exercise your depression away?

Freelancers & Independent Contractors! A new CA law could HURT your status!

If you’re a FREELANCER in CA (aka INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS) — read all of this to protect your $$$ ! The Insurance Mom wants to make you aware of a recent CA Supreme Court ruling. It could really HURT you as a FREELANCER. If you HIRE freelancers, this new state law could hurt you as a… Continue reading Freelancers & Independent Contractors! A new CA law could HURT your status!

Pack your bags – we’re goin’ on a trip around the health care delivery system!

The Insurance Mom mentioned in last week’s post that there seems to be a huge misunderstanding of how America’s health care delivery system compares to those of other countries. The divine Michael Lujan, shares his expertise: The UK Model – In this mostly single-payer model, healthcare is provided and financed by the government through taxes.… Continue reading Pack your bags – we’re goin’ on a trip around the health care delivery system!

What a difference a week makes! SB 562 Update

Thanks for tuning in for our series on single payer! What a difference a week makes; big update on SB 562. On Friday, 6/23/17, CA Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) shelved the proposal saying it is “woefully incomplete” and has postponed any further legislative action until January 2018. “If you think health care is expensive… Continue reading What a difference a week makes! SB 562 Update

Are AHCA concerns making you sick? Pre-existing conditions and MacArthur and more….

Holy cow, folks! What a crazy time for health insurance! Politics aside, The Insurance Mom wants you to be really, totally clear about what’s happening in the wacky world of health insurance. The first thing most clients ask me these days is about pre-existing conditions. What if I have an illness before I buy health… Continue reading Are AHCA concerns making you sick? Pre-existing conditions and MacArthur and more….

Have You Heard? BIG changes coming to health insurance in 2018! BEWARE – BE AWARE!!

In 2018, if you’re buying individual health insurance for you and the fam (not through an employer), PAY ATTENTION! Open enrollment is scheduled to start NOVEMBER 1, 2017 (for new coverage starting January 1, 2018) NEW RULE: Open enrollment will ONLY be for FORTY-FIVE days, ending December 15th. That’s half of what it’s been… Continue reading Have You Heard? BIG changes coming to health insurance in 2018! BEWARE – BE AWARE!!

Open Enrollment is almost here– Are YOU Ready!?

Calling all insured and soon-to-be-insured! Open Enrollment is JUST AROUND THE CORNER…. November 1 through January 31st. Have you made an appointment to talk to your Insurance Mom? We posted this back in August in preparation and wanted to remind you what’s new for 2017. Please review! —————————————————————————————————————————————— Are you ready for health insurance… Continue reading Open Enrollment is almost here– Are YOU Ready!?

“What’s Up, Doc?” Blog Series Part 10: Fanks, Doc, I Pheel Bmuch Mbetter

Hi again, my friends! Thank you so much for taking the virtual blog version of a doctor’s office visit with us. Here is our tenth part in the series, How to make the most of your office visit- a multi-part series.” Check out parts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. And… Continue reading “What’s Up, Doc?” Blog Series Part 10: Fanks, Doc, I Pheel Bmuch Mbetter