Fall Is Open Enrollment Season

As the leaves change color, it’s a good time to think about health insurance. 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.

Mental Health Parity Law Turns Ten Years Old

Mental health is an important part of our well-being. Thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, most health insurance plans that cover mental health must provide the same level of coverage for mental as for physical healthcare.

Top Three Reasons for Getting a Healthcare Estimate

You can use the free FAIR Health Cost Lookup Tool to find out what healthcare procedures might cost you. Learn the top three reasons for estimating costs ahead of time and find out how to use the Cost Lookup Tool.

Royal Birth Spotlights US Childbirth Costs

Kate Middleton gave birth to the latest royal infant in high style in the private wing of her London hospital. Using FAIR Health data, a flurry of news stories estimated that the birth probably cost less than the average US delivery.

Help for Caregivers

Are you caring long-term for a sick or disabled loved one? If so, you may sometimes feel alone and overwhelmed. Luckily, there are many ways to get support.

Where to Go for Acute Care

An acute condition is one that starts suddenly and is over pretty quickly. It can be minor, such as the common cold or a mild sunburn, or serious, such as a broken bone or a heart attack. Knowing where to go for different acute conditions can help you get the best care quickly, at the lowest cost.

Managing the Costs of Chronic Care

Unlike acute conditions, a chronic condition lasts a long time—sometimes for life. Examples are diabetes, asthma and heart disease. If you have a chronic condition, it makes sense to ask yourself two questions: What care will you need to stay healthy? And, how much will it cost?

Elective Surgery: How to Hold Down Costs

Some conditions require emergency surgery. Appendicitis, for example, may call for removal of the appendix right away. With other conditions, the choice of whether and when to have surgery is up to you. That gives you time to think about how to hold down costs.

How to Use Health Insurance

So now you’re covered by a health plan. Congratulations! But, maybe you’ve never used health insurance, or you’ve hardly ever used it. Here’s a guide to help you.

How to Save Money on a Deductible

A deductible is how much you have to pay on your own for healthcare before your health plan kicks in and starts paying its share. You may have chosen a plan with a high deductible to save money on the monthly premium. But, you also can save money while you’re paying off your deductible. Here’s how.

Reaching Your Out-of-Pocket Maximum

If you have a health plan, what is your out-of-pocket maximum? That’s the highest amount you’d have to pay for covered health services in a plan year.