Health Insurance

Teething Problems for the Affordable Care Act

The already troubled relationship between Republicans and Democrats has been further strained by the launch of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) insurance enrollment websites. The teething problems presented by the unwanted baby in the union have fuelled arguments by the Republicans that the Affordable Care Act is a mistake.

To Obamacare or not to Obamacare, is that the question?

America prides itself as a beacon of democracy the world over. But the US government’s democratic processes have come under immense strain recently, resulting in America being thrown into disarray following a shutdown of non-essential government services at midnight on September 30, 2013. One could equate Congress with a rocky marriage at present; with the

Hospital Accuses Parents of Stealing Their Baby

When we admit our children into a hospital do we relinquish our custodial rights as parents? As a mother of three, the first thing on my mind when arriving to the hospital in labor was the anticipation of the safe delivery of my child.  Even for me, a woman well versed in the quagmire of

A Healthy Way for Businesses to Cut Costs

Businesses are starting to catch on — preventive health care saves money! Lower Healthcare Costs with Preventive Care The New York Times Sept. 2, 2012 article “Health Care Where You Work” discusses a survey conducted last year by Towers Watson and the National Business Group which found that 23 percent of midsize and large employers

How This Balancing Act Will Leave You Tipped Over

You visit the doctor for a routine exam. The co-pay portion is paid on the spot and you assume that your insurance provider picked-up the balance. The next thing you know, you receive that familiar white envelope in the mail – a bill. But wait – you paid your portion, right? What is Balance Billing?

Extreme Couponing, Healthcare Version

In the modern era of recession-encouraged cost cutting and reality TV shows, some people have made a name for themselves by “extreme couponing.” They get hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries for ten, fifteen, twenty dollars. Most people don’t have the time (or the space) for “extreme couponing,” but that doesn’t mean people aren’t looking

Don't Forget to Pay the Doctor's Secretary

Patients pay their insurance company to cover medical procedures. The insurance companies make money when the patients are healthy, and the patients don’t pay full value for the medical procedures they do need. Everyone wins. Inadequate Health Insurance Payments Not the doctors. Patients pay and insurance companies reimburse only for procedures provided. Doctors foot the

Paging Dr. Welby, Paging Dr. Welby

Not to date myself, but in the world of 21st century healthcare, Marcus Welby has left the building.  Our healthcare experience has changed over the years, primarily for the better, but it is still changing in ways that many find hard to accept.  Doctors are now providers, and patients have become consumers; medicine is no

We've Come A Long Way Baby!

First off, let me wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!  Things have certainly changed since the Pilgrims first gathered for that historic celebration.  We’ve gone from horses to smart cars, candlelight to energy-efficient light bulbs and hitching-post stores to mega malls. Healthcare has been no stranger to change either.  We’ve come a long

CommunityHealth – Illinois Largest FREE Health Clinic

I would like to introduce an organization that is extremely important to the Chicago community – Community Health. I support Community Health and its mission as a board member, contributions in kind, and direct cash donations. Healthcare is expensive and costly. I can tell you from personal experience that many individuals go without badly needed