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Check your heathcare statements
A Healthy Dose of Paperwork: Why it Makes Sense to Pay Attention to Your Health Insurer’s Explanation of Benefits Statement The issue of health-care reform has been under the microscope for some time now. Political leaders, physicians, health insurers and patients have all joined the debate, and in the months ahead there will be an increasingly spirited discussion about how best to expand insurance coverage, cut down on medical costs, and make healthcare more affordable for all. In the short term, however, there are some important steps that consumers can take to gain greater control of their own health care, and to keep their medical costs in check. * Pay attention to the paperwork. Most people who have medical coverage are aware of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement that they receive from their insurance provider after they visit a physician, undergo a medical test, or check in to a hospital. The EOB details the cost of each visit and procedure, shows how much was paid by the primary or secondary insurance provider, and how much, if any, will ultimately be the financial responsibility of the patient. If consistently reviewed, the statement can be a powerful tool for patients to monitor their coverage, ensure the billing accuracy of their medical providers, and gauge the parameters of their insurance coverage. To truly understand their health coverage, and to make sure that they are not being over-billed by medical providers, however, patients should make every effort to treat their EOB statements as useful tools, and not as formalities to be filed away. *When reading the statement, the first thing patients should do is to check for accuracy. Make sure that the physicians and services listed truly reflect your medical visits, and check that your deductible was correctly applied. Verify that all of your insurers were taken into consideration. In many cases, patients with Medicare will see this coverage listed as a secondary insurer, and payment should be made accordingly. If you have a secondary insurer, and the insurer is not listed, you may be billed by your physician in an amount that exceeds what you should actually pay. *Take action if there is a problem. If the EOB contains inaccuracies, or if patients have questions, the insurer can clarify issues, contact a physician, or help patients prepare with the right questions so that they can ask the physician’s office directly. Patients should also understand and be willing to exercise their right to appeal. If you do not agree with your insurer’s payment decision, you can ask that it be reviewed and reconsidered through an appeals process, and the EOB contains specific directions on how to pursue this route. *Retain your EOB statements for your records. This way, if there are future questions or appeals, you will be able to easily reference past activity. *Remember to check the EOB for educational messages that some insurers include. The statement may offer advice about cutting down on costs by always asking for generic vs. brand-name drugs. Hello, my Frugalistas! How often do you check the "explanation of benefits" statement from your healthcare provider after you visit the doctor? Those statements may have errors on them that may cost you money. Today, I have a guest blogger, Diane Kelley, who is a vice president at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. In her role, Kelley oversees 1.5 million inquiries a month from customers needing help with their healthcare. Kelley is blogging about what patients need to know to make sure they don't get taken for a ride by your insurance company. :) By Diane Kelley
$1 Flip Flops from Old Navy on Saturday
Old Navy is selling $1 flip flops this Saturday, solid color only. Not so bad.
Thanks, Julia for the tip
Is Leona Lewis a Frugalista?
I've seen on at least two blogs the "Bleeding Love" beauty in off-the-rack clothing.She's spotted here in a $34 dress from American Apparel.
And, in a ruffle Urban Outfitters bag here and here.
I wonder if these are acts of product placement by the companies or if she really loves to shop low budget, high style?
The things we ponder!
Photo from stylebakeryteen.com
Have a great Memorial Day holiday.
xoxo,
Fruga
Frugalista on CNN.com/live at 12:15 p.m. est today!
Good morning, my Frugalistas! I'm hanging out with cnn.com/live today at 12:15 p.m. to discuss the Credit Card Bill of Rights! Yippee! I hope you log on so we can rap about what the bill may mean for your wallets! I'm going to be using Skype for the first time publicly! Wish me luck!
xo,
Fruga!
Free blowdry and hair treatment from Kérastase Salons on Wed.
Put this up there with the Mamacita of all freebies: On Wednesday, Kérastase Salons are giving up a free treatment and blowdry. The salons are listed in the link. Frugalistas across the nation can rejoice!
Super shout out to Yesenia for this frugal and fabulous Frugalista tip!
