health care and cost management
“When I’m Sixty-Four” and If I’m Alone….
Back in 2004, I was between husbands, and in my early 50s. As silly as that may sound (“between husbands”), the truth was, I spent 18 years with that status, between divorce and remarriage… and I was alone. “Alone” is the key to today’s post. Back in 2004, I was also diagnosed with a rare…
Read MoreSo What Are You S’Posed to Do With Those Hospital Prices?
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…
Read MoreWhat Are Board-Certified Patient Advocates And When Do You Need One?
When you’re trying to navigate the healthcare system, it can help to have an expert by your side. Now, you can find Board-Certified Patient Advocates with nationally recognized advocacy credentials.
Read MoreBlack Box Warnings May Save Your Life
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…
Read MoreNo Diagnosis? It May Not Matter
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,…
Read More5 Little Words Save Money on Healthcare
‘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…
Read MoreOK, But What’s the Question?
In my previous life as a speaker and writer on patient empowerment issues, I received email, even postal mail (meaning, yes, someone paid for a stamp!) from patients who were being challenged in some way by the healthcare system. Sometimes I would hear from 8 or 10 people in a week, 25, 30 or more…
Read MoreHow To Prepare To Come Home From The Hospital
After a hospitalization, you may be eager to go home. But are you ready? Make sure you have the support you need to have a smooth transition home from the hospital.
Read MoreHow to Take Control of Your Medical Test Results
I’m not sure how it happened, but over the years, my medical appointments and tests all seem to have ended up as summer scheduled dates. Of course that means I’m waiting for test results in the summer, too. You know – all those annual or periodic things: bloodwork, mammogram, bone density, dentist, optometrist…. I also…
Read MoreAll We Really Need to Know About Getting Good Healthcare, We Learned in Kindergarten
With a nod to Robert Fulghum… As millions of youngsters head off to school, it reminds us that some of the lessons we learned in kindergarten can serve us well as we consider our healthcare throughout our lifetimes. Here are some of those lessons: 1. Be respectful of your medical providers, and command their respect…
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