beniebuzz blog

Did you get a new health insurance plan this year? Have you checked to see if your doctors are “in the network?” More than anytime in the recent past, insurance plans have smaller networks of physicians and hospitals. 

First, a review: what is a network?

When mingling at dinner parties, do you get into random conversations with people about their medical situation? As a side effect of owning a company in the healthcare space, I do (it’s glamorous, I know)! This month, I’ve had two separate conversations with people who’ve told me stories of $100,000+ in medical bills for an appendectomy gone wrong and a whopping $1.5 million medical bill for a bowel obstruction (I hoped they cleared out a bar of gold! Just sayin’!).

Have you ever been stuck in the house for multiple days because of the weather? I have! If you haven’t heard, Texas is currently in the middle of what Facebookers have dubbed “IceMaggedon 2013,” “Ice-pocalypse,” “Ice-apalooza” and even “Sleetnado!” (although, we’re now on day 3 of being held hostage in our homes and it’s finally gotten above freezing, so “Slushmageddon”)!

A few months ago, a report said 42% of Americans were not aware that Obamacare was still a law. I’m not a big news person, but I can’t imagine anyone being unaware based on all the press coverage lately!

Even though there’s concern over the website and the details of the law - it’s still the law. And you may have some things to do to comply with the law. Do you know what those are?

Did you know the average American gains .4 to 1.8 pounds each year? Yikes! My guess is most of that weight gain is at the holidays. Who can resist all the awesome foods? Who has time to eat healthy when you’re running crazy with parties, gift buying, gift wrapping, decorating, family events, etc.?  

We just wrote an article with some practical tips for eating healthy at the holidays, but sometimes you have to bring in “the tech,” baby!

When’s the last time you were at a dinner party and heard a man talk about prostate cancer? [probably hasn’t happened, right?] 

How about testicular cancer? [uh, very likely never!] 

How about men’s mental health issues? [it doesn’t count if it’s in response to a woman saying “all you men are crazy!”]

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of money being wasted! There are about 2 months left to the end of the year and the start of a new insurance policy for many Americans.  

So, we’re answering some frequently asked questions to make sure you get the most out of your policy and budget!

Question: I haven’t gotten close to reaching my deductible or out of pocket max – anything specific I should do?

Answer:

You know that overwhelming feeling you get when standing in the shampoo aisle looking at all the choices before you? Conditioning, strengthening, softening, volumizing, clarifying, for fine hair, for colored hair, for oily hair, for limp hair, for dandruff, for split ends, for bald people…ARRRGGHHH!  

Now, take that same feeling and apply it to the 50+ health insurance plan choices you’re about to be presented with (if you’re buying it on your own).