FAIR Health Consumer Access
How to Deal with COVID-19 Medical Costs
Thanks to a law passed in the spring of 2020, most Americans can be tested for COVID-19 for free. But that law didn’t make treatment for the virus free. Whether or not you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, you can take steps now to understand your protections under the law and manage your treatment costs.
Help with Insurance Issues
Sometimes you may need help dealing with health insurance issues. You might have questions about what your insurance will cover, or need support in finding and enrolling in a plan. Or you may have claim issues with your insurance company. There are many places you can find help for all of these concerns.
A Look Back at 2020 on the FAIR Health Consumer Website
In 2020, FAIR Health added several COVID-19 resources to its free, award-winning consumer website fairhealthconsumer.org. The resources make the site even more useful in these challenging times. Other highlights of 2020 can be found here in the FAIR Health Consumer year-end statistics for 2020.
Fall Is Open Enrollment Season
Now that fall is here, it’s a good time to think about health insurance, especially in light of the risk of getting COVID-19 or the flu. That’s because fall is open enrollment season—the time of year when you can sign up for a health plan or make changes to the plan you have.
Types of Health Plans
When shopping for a health plan, you may see a plan described as an HMO, PPO, POS or EPO. Those abbreviations are important because the coverage, rules and typical costs differ for each type of plan.
The Facts about Cost Sharing
No matter what kind of health plan you get, you’ll probably have to pay something. Here are the types of payments you may have to make—and how to make your dollars stretch as far as possible.
Wellness Programs: Coverage for Promoting Healthy Living
Healthy lifestyle behaviors include regular exercise and nutritious eating. Are you looking to carry out such behaviors but unsure how to start? If so, you may want to explore the wellness programs offered by your employer or health insurance plan.
Preventive Services: Coverage and Costs
You’re probably used to going to a doctor when you feel sick. But to prevent illness, it also can be important to seek healthcare when you feel well. With preventive services, you can avoid certain diseases and catch others in their early stages.
Getting Covered for Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy have one thing in common: They may not be covered by insurance. That’s because they may be looked at as alternative treatments, not part of conventional medical care.
Major Life Events and Planning for Health Insurance
Major life events may include getting married or divorced, changing jobs or having a baby. One thing to keep in mind at such times is your health insurance. How can you make sure you stay covered? How can you get the best coverage for you and your family?
Costs for a Hospital Stay for COVID-19
According to public health experts, 15 to 20 percent of people who get COVID-19 and seek treatment may need a hospital stay for the disease. In a recent brief, FAIR Health studied what the costs of those hospital stays might be.
Telehealth and COVID-19
Telehealth is healthcare received through electronic devices, like telephones, tablets and computers. Its use has been growing in recent years. But it’s expected to grow even more in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.