Ac-cen-tu-ate – the Negative?

ellefitzgerald

It’s time to take a trip with the Way-Back Machine to a song many of us heard when we were kids – because our parents played it on the radio or record player. We all sang along! With lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and sung by Ella Fitzgerald (that’s Ella in the photo above), the song…

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So What Are You S’Posed to Do With Those Hospital Prices?

money

In the category of “be careful what you wish for…” Well-meaning policy people have now created a monster.  We can name this monster “Good Start,” but it’s not a very useful monster – yet. That monster rears its ugly head in the form of the new law that became effective January 1, 2019 that requires…

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Black Box Warnings May Save Your Life

pharmacist

This often comes as a major surprise for patients: that when a prescription drug is known to be effective, and is approved by the FDA for some patients, that doesn’t mean it’s effective and safe for all patients. It’s true that some people may be allergic, or the drug might have been prescribed to treat…

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No Diagnosis? It May Not Matter

movie

Years ago I watched a movie called Serendipity.  It starred Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. It was a “romcom” – and adorable – and it occurs to me that it sets the stage for today’s post. The story was about two young people who met in Bloomingdales while shopping, and through a series of events,…

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5 Little Words Save Money on Healthcare

imaging

‘Tis the season of making health insurance choices, and the nexus of money and healthcare is on our minds. We’re focused on making sure we find a policy that covers us, but doesn’t over-cover us so we pay too much. It’s about those things that can be planned (the drugs we take, the regular medical…

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Here – Let Us Help You Pay Us Way Too Much!

hospitalbills

Just when you think you’ve heard it all…. Now hospitals are “helping” their patients with finances, too. If you don’t give that much thought, then it seems like a great idea. “We recognize you owe us more money than you can afford, Mr. Johnson. So we’re going to help you figure out how to pay…

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“Do Not Quote Me”

Attractive young caring doctor

A few years ago I was at a picnic with a friend who is an orthopedist. The question was raised about whether advice given by doctors is always in the best interests of the patient. “Do not quote me,” was how he began his reply. At least that alerted me that he would give an…

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The Dangers of Having Great Health Insurance

medical money

On occasion, in a conversation with new acquaintance, they’ll ask me what I do for a living. I tell them I established and run the most comprehensive directory of independent, private health and patient advocates and care managers online, supported by a marvelous professional organization whose members populate the directory. “Independent and private?” they ask…

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