How to Get Health Coverage While Traveling

If you’re planning a summer trip, the last thing you may want to think of is healthcare. But, accidents and illnesses can happen on the road as well as at home. Here are some tips on how to get health coverage while traveling.

Getting Insured outside Open Enrollment Periods

As pleasant as summer can be, it’s usually the wrong season for open enrollment. That’s the designated period of time—usually in the fall—when you can enroll in or make changes to a health insurance plan. But, there are some special circumstances that let you enroll any time.

Health Insurance for College Students

As you prepare to go to college, don’t forget to pack health coverage. Most colleges require students to have health insurance. And, if you don’t have health coverage, and you earn enough to afford it, you may have to pay a tax penalty. There are several ways of getting covered.

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.