Life And Health Choices

You've read a story like this and just shake your head: Alexa didn’t want her upcoming vacation trip ruined by strep throat. So, after it had lingered for more than a week, she decided to get it checked out and visited her primary care physician. The visit was quick. Alexa got her throat swabbed, gave a tube of blood and was sent out the door with a prescription for antibiotics. She soon felt better and the trip went off without a hitch. Then the bill came. Read the full story. Total Bill:  $28,395.50 for an out-of-network throat swab. Her insurer cut a check for $25,865.24. $28,395.50! I hope you never have to deal with a situation like this one. It does happen and you should be prepared for the upcoming medical procedure you have scheduled or any emergency medical need you may have. There are several strategies both before and after receiving medical services to protect yourself from high medical bills. First and foremost, understand the health insurance and supple...

Do you have a health insurance plan? Good to know should something happen to you, or your spouse, or a dependent, that their medical needs will be taken care of. The cost of procedures, tests, treatments, hospital and doctor costs are all taken care of. Right? Do you know what your plan's deductibles are?  Co-pays ?   What is the plan's maximum out-of-pocket costs ? How much of the total cost would you be on the hook for? The most you have to pay for covered services in a plan year is the amount paid on deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Your health insurance plan pays 100% of the costs of covered benefits. The out-of-pocket limit doesn't include your monthly premiums. It also doesn't include anything you spend for services your plan doesn't cover. For the 2020 Obamacare plan year ,  t he out-of-pocket limit for a Marketplace plan is   $8,200   for an individual plan and   $16,400   for a family plan. Private plans, includi...