Health

Articles Index

How To Save on Health Insurance if You Reach the Out-Of-Pocket Maximum

If you reach your health insurance out-of-pocket maximum, your healthcare expenses are high enough it can be hard to save. But, your high healthcare expenses provide two opportunities to save that won't work for people who don't meet their out-of-pocket limit each year. Learn how to save money on out-of-pocket costs and on health insurance premiums when you have costly or chronic medical conditions.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum—How It Works and Why to Beware

Learn how your out-of-pocket maximum works, what counts towards the out-of-pocket limit, and what your health insurance company may still require you to pay after you’ve met your out-of-pocket maximum.

Healthcare Reform Controversy FAQs

Clear up the confusion about Obamacare, socialized medicine, healthcare rationing, and other misunderstood and controversial aspects of healthcare reform. These frequently asked questions address the more controversial aspects of healthcare reform by the Affordable Care Act.

How Much Is the Health Insurance Penalty?

How to calculate your penalty for not having health insurance. You'll have to pay the individual mandate penalty if you go without insurance, so learn how to calculate the health insurance penalty, and know what you'll owe.

Can You Get a Health Insurance Exemption?

If you don’t want to pay a penalty, you’ll either have to have health insurance or you’ll have to get a health insurance exemption certificate. Find out if you qualify for a health insurance exemption, and how to avoid the Affordable Care Act's health insurance penalty.

Patients Rights – Health Reform and Patients Rights

The Patient Bill of Rights establishes a new set of rules made possible by the Affordable Care Act, which will take effect for most health plans starting on or after September 23, 2010. These rules will remove barriers between you and your doctor and help provide the peace of mind that health insurance will be there when you need it the most.

The Cost of Health Care—Why Is Health Care So Expensive?

Why is the cost of health care so expensive? Why does the cost of health care increase faster than inflation? There is one single reason that overshadows all the other factors contributing to the rising cost of health care. Read more to learn what's responsible.

Health Spending in the Economic Stimulus Act - Where Is Your Money Going?

Learn more about the healthcare provisions contained in the economic stimulus act, also known as the Amercian Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Health Savings Account – Managing Healthcare Costs with a Health Savings Account

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a type of account that you can put money into to save for health-related expenses on a tax-free basis. If you decide to open an HSA, you must have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).

Before You Buy Health Insurance

Learn how to buy health insurance that’s the best fit for you and your family. Don't buy health insurance only to discover you didn't understand the true costs, or won't get the benefits you thought. Comparison shopping for health insurance can be tough, but these resources make it easier. What you need to know when shopping for health insurance. . .

Hospitalized in Observation Status? You’ll Pay More

Hospitalized in observation status rather than inpatient? Learn about observation status, how observation guidelines work, and why you'll pay more.

Pregnant? No Maternity Insurance? What Now?

If you're pregnant and don't have health insurance, or you health plan doesn't include maternity insurance, these resources will help you find maternity insurance or affordable prenatal care, birth care, and postpartum care.

Finding Mental Health Insurance & Getting the Most From It

How to get mental health insurance if you don't have it, or discover mental health coverage you weren't aware you had. Tips for getting the most out of mental health insurance when you use it.

Mandated Benefits - Understanding Mandated Health Insurance Benefits

A number of health care benefits are mandated by either state law, federal law—or in some cases—both. Although mandates continue to be added as health insurance requirements, they are controversial and may impact health reform legislation.

Insurance Codes - Learn About Insurance Codes to Avoid Billing Errors

Explanation of Benefits, insurance claim forms, and medical bills from your doctor or hospital can be difficult to understand because of the use of codes to describe the services performed and your diagnosis. It may be useful for you to learn about these codes, especially if you have a chronic health problem.

How to Choose the Best HMO or PPO

HMO or PPO, how do I decide which health plan is best for my family? When you get health insurance from your employer, buy private insurance, join a high-risk plan offered by your state, or enroll in a government-funded program such as Medicaid or Medicare, you may have the opportunity to choose among several health plans.

Laid Off? How to Keep or Find Affordable Health Coverage When Laid Off

If you have lost your job, you may be worried about the loss of your employer-based health insurance. To protect you and your family, it is important to try and find some type of health insurance plan during your period of unemployment. Fortunately, if you are handed a pink slip, you do have options to remain insured.

Beyond Medical Coverage: Vision Care Insurance

Most regular health insurance policies do not pay for the costs of routine vision care such as eye exams, corrective lenses, eyeglass frames, or contact lenses. Coverage (offered to less than 30% of employees) for such services is known as vision care insurance.

California Health Insurance

Most health insurance plans are regulated by your state government. Since the states differ considerably in the rules they set for health plans – such as mandating certain benefits – and the types of state health insurance programs offered, it is important that you understand what is unique about California.

Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions

The Affordable Care Act contains several tax provisions that will take effect as different parts of the health reform legislation are implemented. The purchase and provision of health insurance is entwined with many people’s jobs and tax-related benefits. Because of this, almost all the new regulations involve the U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Information

Contact information for state offices and resources for obtaining and keeping health insurance in Massachusetts.

Laid Off? COBRA Insurance May Be an Option for Health Care Coverage

If you have been laid off from your job and your former employer has 20 or more employees, the company is required by a 1986 federal law (known as COBRA) to offer you the option to pay for an extension of your health insurance coverage for at least 18 months. COBRA provides you with insurance for you and your family but COBRA can be very expensive.

Calorie Count - Nutrition Database