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Wanna Save Some Money (part 2)?

Need to get lab work done, such as blood or urine tests, PAP test or biopsy? 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… Continue reading Wanna Save Some Money (part 2)?

Wanna Save Some Money (part 1)?

If you have a health problem that isn’t an emergency and you can’t see your regular doctor, think about going to an in-network retail clinic, walk-in doctor’s office or urgent care center. They can take less time than an emergency room, are open nights and weekends and could save you a TON o’money!

What does it cost to…

… die?   It’s expensive!  Cedars Sinai Medical Center billed Medicare $132,000 (yes!) for ONE week of care.    I don’t want this to be morose but I do want to use my father’s death a couple of months ago as a life lesson about how to be pro-active in your own medical care. The doctors wanted to… Continue reading What does it cost to…

ZocDoc — sort of like OpenTable, but not

OpenTable for MDs This recently came across The Insurance Mom’s e-desk and, although I can’t give it a thumbs up or down, it does look intriguing!   Let me know how it works for you. Waiting days for a doctor’s appointment can make you extremely uneasy — not only do you not know what that lump… Continue reading ZocDoc — sort of like OpenTable, but not

Hey, girlfriend!

Do YOU know what tests you need to ask your doctor about every year? The Insurance Mom wants you to really take care of yourself.    Everyday I talk to people who, seemingly all of a sudden, get sick — and it comes as such a surprise to them.    What would be different if, every year,… Continue reading Hey, girlfriend!

$183,998

$183,998.   That’s a lot of money!   On a national average, it’s what you’ll pay  if  your Mom or Dad lands in a nursing home for the average stay of 2.4 years.   That’s really a ton o’money!! If your Mom or Dad would prefer to get better at home (and who wouldn’t?), the cost of… Continue reading $183,998

Around the world in 80 seconds…

WOW!   The Insurance Mom just went global!   How cool is THAT?!!

I’d like to trust them, but…

The Insurance Mom wants to know… does this make ANY sense to you? Last year it became possible for an unhealthy, uninsurable person to get guaranteed health insurance.  The government enacted the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).   It’s available.  It’s affordable.  And the benefits aren’t too bad either.  Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t… Continue reading I’d like to trust them, but…

Let The Sunshine In!

Daylight Savings Time is here this weekend.   So before going to bed Saturday night be sure to move your clocks one hour ahead —  that is, if you still use clocks in addition to your Smart Phone, iPad, PC, Mac or sundial. When you finally recover from that lost hour of sleep, you’ll have more… Continue reading Let The Sunshine In!

Non-Grandfathered Plan

If you bought your health insurance after 3/23/10 or made any changes at all to a plan you bought before 3/23/10, you have a Non-Grandfathered Plan.   It must meet the requirements of the federal reform laws known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).