preventive care Archives

Brought to you by Alison Gordon Insurance Services, Inc. CA license #0780178

Hey, CALIFORNIA… here’s info about your INDIVIDUAL health insurance for 2019

READ ME… ALL OF ME!! It’s time to talk about individual HEALTH INSURANCE for 2019 — OPEN ENROLLMENT is starting 10/15/18 Information is starting to roll in. BUT we’re still waiting for the FINAL RATES. What we know so far: There WILL BE rate increases — no, I don’t know how much yet There are… Continue reading Hey, CALIFORNIA… here’s info about your INDIVIDUAL health insurance for 2019

We made it! Open Enrollment is OVER!

Hello, Insurance Mom family – Phew! Open Enrollment for individual health insurance ended 1/31/16. The Insurance Mom and her Helper Elves have been very busy taking care of everyone, and now we’ve got more time to talk about insurance-y stuff through our fabulous blog posts. Open Enrollment is the time when anyone… Continue reading We made it! Open Enrollment is OVER!

ACA woes? Hospitals and Docs feel it too!

Life since the Affordable Care Act is an interesting environment. Everything is changing at such a rapid pace, no one knows how to keep up. Hospitals are in the same boat, too! In a recent study, 75% of hospitals have reported an increase of emergency room traffic since the ACA started. Not only that, but… Continue reading ACA woes? Hospitals and Docs feel it too!

YOU’RE A COMPARISON SHOPPER FOR OTHER THINGS, THEN WHY NOT FOR MEDICAL STUFF?

You’re a smart shopper. You do your research. You clip coupons. You read Yelp reviews, compare online ratings and costs. So why is it when it comes to your health, you don’t do the same? The Insurance Mom is here to help you be your own best advocate. In this new world of Affordable-Care-Act-madness here… Continue reading YOU’RE A COMPARISON SHOPPER FOR OTHER THINGS, THEN WHY NOT FOR MEDICAL STUFF?

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

No Kids… Free Birth Control!

That’s right, the rumor is true… being responsible no longer costs money! Under the federal reform laws, as of August 1, 2012, almost all health insurance plans cover your generic birth control 100%. No co-pays, cash or credit card required to protect you and your man against an unexpected pregnancy. The federal law says that… Continue reading No Kids… Free Birth Control!

Kids, kids, kids…

If you’re in California and have health insurance in California, then this one’s for you. 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… Continue reading Kids, kids, kids…

UPDATED – Anthem Blue Cross In-Network Hospital Update

*******************I M P O R T A N T****I M P O R T A N T****I M P O R T A N T**************** 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: Los Robles Regional Medical Center West… Continue reading UPDATED – Anthem Blue Cross In-Network Hospital Update

Wanna Save Some Money (part 3)?

Getting a prescription from your doctor doesn’t mean you don’t have choices about how to spend your money. 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,… Continue reading Wanna Save Some Money (part 3)?

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)?