Health insurance is complicated and healthcare costs a lot. If you’re not up for a complicated read, here’s the short version: Don’t use out of network providers if you can avoid it. If you think healthcare is expensive, out of network healthcare is very expensive! But if you want to dig a bit deeper, read […]
In or Out, Round About – Navigating Out of Network Providers Read More »
Anymore, it seems for most of us every medical bill has a surprise when we first open the envelope! How does a provider (doctor, hospital, laboratory, imaging center) decide how much healthcare costs? It’s a pretty closely guarded secret, and it’s not uniform across providers. But suffice it to say, it definitely requires some serious
It costs how much?? Read More »
What is “quality” in healthcare? It turns out it depends on who you ask. Doctors tend to view quality from a technical perspective – accuracy of a diagnosis, appropriateness of the treatment, and the outcome for the patient. Payers (which includes Medicare and Medicaid, and commercial insurance) tend to focus on evidence-based medicine
Quality Health Care – Says Who? Read More »
Huh? Although medical care has certainly become incredibly specialized, whenever I’ve suggested that a client consider asking for a palliative care consult, the first response is “What’s that?” or a close second “I’m not dying, why would I want that??” In our current environment in many cases palliative care and hospice are often provided as
I’ll have some palliative care, please. Read More »
A headline in the business section of the Atlanta Journal several weeks ago caught my eye: “Atlanta hospice to pay $3 million.” That’s a lot of cash. The article went on. “A Georgia hospice company has agreed to pay $3 million to resolve allegations it billed taxpayers for patients who were not terminally ill, the
Why Choosing a Hospice Provider Matters Read More »
A friend of mine was undergoing an outpatient surgery a few weeks ago. Once in a gown, and her IV started (not a power position for us as patients, by the way!) her surgeon stopped in before heading to the OR to scrub. Having already talked with the anesthesiologist, my friend also shared her concern
Patient-centered care – you may need a buddy! Read More »
Inevitably when I’m asked what I do and respond that I’m a private patient advocate, one eyebrow raises, followed by “What’s that?” My “Private Patient Advocate” elevator speech goes something like this: “Private patient advocates are independent professionals that help patients and their families clarify options for managing their healthcare as well as the cost
Does Insurance Cover That? Read More »
