Opportunity costs play a critical role in healthcare decision making. With limited healthcare budgets and resources, stakeholders must carefully consider the trade-offs involved with funding different programs and interventions. Understanding opportunity costs enables more informed and efficient allocation of scarce healthcare funds. What Are Opportunity Costs? Opportunity costs refer to the value of the best … Read more
Having health insurance helps protect you from large medical expenses. However, most plans involve cost-sharing through deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. One approach some health plans use is a combined medical and drug deductible. What is a Deductible? First, let’s review what a deductible is. A deductible is the amount you pay for healthcare services before … Read more
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to save money on healthcare expenses. With an HSA, you can make tax-free contributions and use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free. This includes prescriptions and other items purchased at pharmacies. But can you use your HSA card at just any pharmacy? The short … Read more
Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace, sometimes called “Obamacare,” are two major ways people can obtain health coverage in the United States. But they have some key differences in terms of how they work, who is eligible, and what benefits they provide. Understanding the distinctions between Medicaid and marketplace plans can help you determine which … Read more
When you have health insurance through UnitedHealthcare, you are assigned a unique policy number. This number helps identify you as a member and provides important details about your specific coverage. Knowing where to find your UnitedHealthcare policy number can be useful when you need to verify your insurance details with healthcare providers or customer service. … Read more
When you first enroll in Medicare, you’ll receive a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. This card is your proof of Medicare coverage. It contains important information like your Medicare number and your coverage effective dates. A common question many Medicare beneficiaries have is whether their Medicare card ever expires. Do you … Read more
Hitting a deer can be a scary and dangerous experience for any driver. These unpredictable animals can dart out in front of your vehicle unexpectedly, leaving you with little time to react. The resulting collision often causes extensive damage to your car. After such an incident, one of the first questions on your mind is … Read more
Medical billing can seem complicated for healthcare providers who are new to the process. One term that often causes confusion is “IPA.” So what exactly does IPA stand for, and why is it important for medical billing? IPA stands for “Independent Physician Association.” An IPA is an organization made up of multiple physician groups that … Read more
Hold harmless agreements and waivers of liability are common risk management tools used in business contracts and agreements. But what exactly is the difference between the two? While they share some similarities, hold harmless clauses and liability waivers have distinct purposes. Understanding when to use each type of agreement can help protect your business interests … Read more
Understanding how coinsurance works with your health insurance deductible is key to estimating your potential out-of-pocket costs. Coinsurance is the percentage you pay for covered medical services after reaching your deductible. So what does 50% coinsurance after deductible mean for your specific health plan? Coinsurance Basics First, let’s review some key terms: Coinsurance – The … Read more