If you are currently expecting a baby, it’s important to understand your health insurance policy. Having a child is expensive, but knowing what you should/shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for is extremely important. In this blog post I will provide a list of noteworthy benefit plan questions to look into to better understand what will/will not be covered: 1. What is your policy’s deductible, coinsurance, and out of pocket maximum? 2. Are your doctors and hospital in or out of network with your insurance provider? 3. If you have an HMO policy, do you need a referral from … Continue reading

It’s flu season, and you have unfortunately come down with the dreaded sickness. You have been fighting body aches, fever, and nausea that won’t cease, and are unable to get in with your primary doctor.  This is a common situation that many of us run into, and the question is always “Should I go to the urgent care or emergency room?”  It’s important to understand the difference between the two, which can possibly save you money and time in the long run. An urgent care facility specializes in treatment of minor to moderate medical symptoms. In most cases you will … Continue reading

You may have heard the term “Essential Health Benefits” used in discussions regarding health insurance, however, you may not know what it refers to. Per the Affordable Care Act, there are a list of services that are required to be covered. These services include: Outpatient Services Emergency Services Hospitalization Maternity and newborn care Mental health and substance use disorders (including behavioral health treatment) Prescription drugs Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices Laboratory services Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management Pediatric vision To receive additional information on how these benefits will be covered under your policy, please consult with … Continue reading

When researching health insurance plans, there are many items to consider. There are two plan design options to choose from, and knowing the difference between them is very important in determining which coverage is best suited for you. One of the plan options, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), commonly requires you to choose one Primary Care Physician (PCP) and all services will go through this physician. If you need to see a specialist or receive a service that is outside the realm of your PCP’s practice, you will need to make an appointment with your PCP first, who will then refer … Continue reading

Life is busy and the days are short. Whether you’re trying to get more work done, studying for school, or socializing; we pack as much as possible into our schedule, which leaves an essential part of our health neglected, sleep.  Sleep plays a vital role in your health, and there are many consequences to insufficient sleep that can take a toll on overall quality of life. The old saying of, “Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep” is an accurate statement. There are many benefits of sleep, some of them being: Healthy Brain Function According to the National … Continue reading

You contact your insurance agent for assistance on understanding a recent medical claim. More than likely, your agent will ask for a copy of the EOB to better assist in answering your questions. Your first thought may be, “What is an EOB?!” If this has been you, don’t worry.  In insurance talk, the abbreviation EOB stands for “Explanation of Benefits.”   An EOB is a document that members enrolled in a medical benefits insurance plan will receive after a claim has been processed. The document will be from the insurance company.  It will provide a detailed explanation of what was billed … Continue reading

There may be circumstances where an individual is enrolled in two health insurance policies. For example, an individual is enrolled in a policy through his employer, and is also enrolled under his spouse’s policy at the same time.  When these two policies work together to pay claims, it’s called Coordination of Benefits. It is imperative if you are in a scenario similar to the one described, that you inform both insurance carriers of the dual coverage to establish which plan is primary vs secondary. This allows the two insurance carriers to work together and avoid duplicate payments on the same … Continue reading

The summer months are upon us, and that brings sunshine, days at the beach, and barbecues with friends and family.  Being someone who loves anything that includes food, barbecuing is one of my favorite things about summer. Nothing beats sitting out on your back patio, grilling some hot dogs or hamburgers. There are a few things to keep in mind as you immerse yourself in the season to ensure you are grilling safely. Place your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. Keep children and pets away from the grill. Clean your grill regularly. Never leave your grill … Continue reading

May was Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and according to the American Cancer Society, “more skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year than all other cancers combined.”  This is a scary thing to think about. There are many situations that can put individuals at risk for skin cancer, including exposure to the sun and tanning beds. Protecting yourself and detecting it early is easier than most would think. Some easy steps to follow when you are going to be exposed to the sun are: Sunscreen is … Continue reading

If you’re a member of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network (BCN) group health care plan, you have access to resources that you may not be aware of. One of those resources is member discounts with Blue 365®. Members of Blue Cross and BCN plans are eligible to receive savings on a variety of health-related products and services.   These discounts include exclusive deals on things like: Gym memberships Cooking classes Weight-loss programs Fitness gear Travel and recreation Contact lenses Lasik Dental care Hearing aids Fitness magazines Members can take advantage of these discounts by … Continue reading