FAIR Health Consumer Access
How to Handle Your Medical Bill
No one likes to get a bill. But, spending some time reviewing your medical bill may help you save money. Your review may be more fruitful if you do some advance work—such as asking your doctor how much a procedure is expected to cost.
Reading Your Explanation of Benefits
After you go to the doctor, you may get an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurer. Because the form includes a notice that it’s “not a bill,” you may be tempted to discard it. But, reading your EOBs can help you make the most of your health insurance.
Breaking Medical Codes
Medical paperwork may seem hard to understand. Some of the most mysterious parts are the codes. Those are the numbers (or letter-number combinations) that appear on medical bills and explanations of benefits (EOBs).
Budgeting for Healthcare
The start of a new year is a good time to plan for the costs that may be coming your way—and how to pay for them. Why not make a budget to plan for your healthcare costs?
Eight Ways to Control Healthcare Costs
Everyone talks about how healthcare costs are rising. But, there are ways for you to control your healthcare costs. Here are eight such ways.
Flexible Spending Plans
Saving money for healthcare expenses is a simple idea. But, there are ways to save money that, although a little more complex, help increase your savings. That’s the idea behind flexible spending plans.
An ounce of preparation…makes a confident consumer!
Welcome to the Winter 2016 issue of FAIR Health Consumer Access! While the wintry season is typically a time to focus on staying healthy, it’s also a good time to take stock of what your health coverage means for you.
It’s basic! Understanding how your health plan works
Many insurers offer different types of health coverage plans. Employers may offer a variety of health coverage plan types, too. It’s important to understand how your particular health plan works because the costs, coverage and rules differ for each. Finding out how your plan works can help you save on costs and avoid headaches later on.
Ready, set, ask!
Now that you are ready to see your doctor, it’s important that you know what your specific costs will be. The complete answer to that question depends upon information that only your doctor’s office can provide. Review the list of questions below, or, better yet, download the questions and take them with you to your appointment.
It’s Open Enrollment Time
The leaves are changing color, the kids are back in school, and that means it’s open enrollment season. This is your chance to enroll (or re-enroll) in a health plan for the coming year.
Picking the Best Health Plan for You
No health plan is right for everybody. To pick the plan that’s best for you and your family, study the available types of plans and pick the one that best fits your healthcare needs and your budget.
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.