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Cool Tech You Can Buy with Your Flexible Spending Account
Read More: Cool Tech You Can Buy with Your Flexible Spending AccountTech-based health devices are all the rage, but here’s something you might not know: If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) for out-of-pocket medical costs, you may be able to use that money to purchase a wide range of high-tech health items. What is a flexible spending account? An FSA is money you can…
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What Is a Patient Advocate?
Read More: What Is a Patient Advocate?Mallory Frazier, BCPA, a board-certified patient advocate, is something of a medical mystery solver. She used her research skills to get to the bottom of her own rare disease and now helps others navigate the healthcare system. “Women with chronic illnesses have often been in pain daily for decades by the time they reach midlife.…
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Turning 65 and Getting on Medicare? You Could Lose Coverage for Obesity Care
Read More: Turning 65 and Getting on Medicare? You Could Lose Coverage for Obesity CareFor millions of people living with obesity, the class of weight-loss medications known as GLP-1 agonists have been game-changers (think Wegovy and Zepbound). Studies show that people on these medications can lose more weight than they can with just lifestyle changes alone. But for one group of Americans — people on Medicare — at least…
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Access, Affordable care act, Health insurance, Health policy, Maternity care, Medicare, Policy, Women’s rights
Where Do Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Stand on Women’s Health Issues?
Read More: Where Do Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Stand on Women’s Health Issues?There’s a lot at stake in this presidential election, and women’s health policy will be impacted by our new commander in chief and their administration, no matter who wins. So, as the 2024 presidential election fast approaches, make sure you know where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump stand on important issues related to women’s health…
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FAQs About Supplemental Health Insurance
Read More: FAQs About Supplemental Health InsuranceNo one wants to think about accidents or illness, but life happens. And life can get super expensive, very quickly. Supplemental health insurance can help you pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered under regular medical insurance. It can also cover important things like teeth cleanings and help you pay for everyday expenses…
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Coping with the Costs of Cancer
Read More: Coping with the Costs of CancerFinances are not always the first thing people think of when they get diagnosed with cancer. Top questions may be, What’s the prognosis? What are the treatment options? And who are the best specialists? But more and more, you also have to grapple with the cost of cancer alongside the physical and emotional aspects of…
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Health Insurance 101: How to Choose Health Insurance if You Have Asthma
Read More: Health Insurance 101: How to Choose Health Insurance if You Have AsthmaIf you have asthma, choosing the right health insurance can help you get the treatments you need with less hassle. Asthma treatments fall into two main categories: Long-term medicines to control asthma, often taken every day Medicines that give short-term relief from asthma symptoms, sometimes called “rescue medications” For people with allergies that trigger their…
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Access, Affordability, Cardiovascular disease, Health insurance, Heart disease, Heart health, Medication, Prescription drugs
A Patient’s Journey: How to Navigate Health Insurance for Heart Disease
Read More: A Patient’s Journey: How to Navigate Health Insurance for Heart DiseaseFebruary 2, 2024, is National Wear Red Day and February is AmericanHeart Month. For the more than 60 million women in the United States living with some type of heart disease, navigating health insurance coverage can be overwhelming. A patient’s journey with heart disease should move seamlessly from diagnosis to treatment, with a strong partnership…
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Pharmacy Benefit Managers Are the Most Influential Healthcare Companies You’ve Never Heard Of
Read More: Pharmacy Benefit Managers Are the Most Influential Healthcare Companies You’ve Never Heard OfTaking prescription drugs may be more American than apple pie. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half the people in the United States report having taken at least one medicine in the past 30 days. (By comparison, just about 1 in 10 Americans say apple is their favorite pie.) Who…
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How to Talk About Obesity and Obesity-Related Insurance Coverage at Work
Read More: How to Talk About Obesity and Obesity-Related Insurance Coverage at WorkEspañol Obesity is so common in the United States that nearly half (4 out of 10) American adults live with the disease, which can pose serious health risks and lead to premature death. Many people living with obesity face discrimination or poor treatment in the workplace. Employers can help reduce stigma, improve working environments for…
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Cómo hablar de la obesidad y de su correspondiente cobertura del seguro en el trabajo
Read More: Cómo hablar de la obesidad y de su correspondiente cobertura del seguro en el trabajoLa obesidad es tan común en Estados Unidos que casi la mitad (4 de cada 10) adultos estadounidenses viven con la enfermedad, lo que implica riesgos médicos graves y puede causar muertes prematuras. Muchas personas que viven con obesidad enfrentan discriminación o malos tratos en el lugar de trabajo. Los empleadores pueden ayudar a reducir…
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Choosing Health Insurance Coverage If You’re Living with Obesity
Read More: Choosing Health Insurance Coverage If You’re Living with Obesity+ PDF text SLIDE 1 Living with Obesity? Quick tips for how to navigate health insurance coverage for obesity care SLIDE 2 Obesity is a disease that affects 4 out of 10 American adults. Medication, surgery, diet and exercise programs, and working with mental health professionals can help people lose weight but can be expensive.…
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Looking for Health Insurance and Want to Know if Obesity Treatments Are Covered?
Read More: Looking for Health Insurance and Want to Know if Obesity Treatments Are Covered?Are you living with obesity and wondering how to make sure you get the care you need and deserve? If you need health insurance for 2024, ask your benefits manager or representative these questions to make sure you choose the best coverage for you. This educational resource was created with support from Eli Lilly and…
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Health Insurance 101: How to Choose Health Insurance When You’re Living with Obesity
Read More: Health Insurance 101: How to Choose Health Insurance When You’re Living with ObesityApproximately 4 out of 10 American adults live with obesity, a medical condition that can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. There are treatments, like weight loss medications and surgery, that can help, but they can also be expensive. For example, medication prescribed for weight loss can cost around $1,000…
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The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency Is Ending Soon
Read More: The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency Is Ending SoonAt the first hint of a sore throat or sniffle, my instinct is to reach for a rapid Covid-19 test, especially if I’m going to be around other people. It helps that I have a large stash of free Covid tests thanks to a federal public health emergency (PHE) requirement that health insurers pay for…
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How to get skin treatments covered by health insurance
Read More: How to get skin treatments covered by health insuranceYou might think that your healthcare decisions are between you and your healthcare provider (HCP). But your health insurer can have a lot to say about which treatments you can get. When your dermatologist prescribes a treatment for a skin condition, for example, there’s a chance your insurance plan won’t pay for it. Arm yourself…
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Choosing a Health Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment
Read More: Choosing a Health Insurance Plan During Open EnrollmentThis resource was created with support from Myovant Sciences
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Health Insurance 101: Understanding Health Insurance Terms
Read More: Health Insurance 101: Understanding Health Insurance TermsIf your eyes glaze over at the mention of anything related to health insurance, you’re not alone. In fact, most people in America can’t define key health insurance terms. But understanding health insurance is so important. People who don’t understand health insurance concepts wind up either spending more money than they need to on their…
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How to Choose Health Insurance When You Have Endometriosis
Read More: How to Choose Health Insurance When You Have EndometriosisIf you’re one of the 6.5 million women in the United States living with endometriosis, you know how disruptive the chronic condition can be. Getting a diagnosis can take years — ranging from four to 11 years, on average. Finding the right treatment can be frustrating. Diagnosing and treating endometriosis isn’t just a pain (literally…
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How to Choose Health Insurance When You Have Fibroids
Read More: How to Choose Health Insurance When You Have FibroidsUterine fibroids are so common that more than three out of four women will develop them at some point during their lifetimes. Fibroids don’t always cause symptoms, but in one-quarter to one-half of cases, they do. Fibroids can cause heavy and long-lasting periods, pain in the pelvic floor and pain during sex, frequent urination, constipation,…
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Survey Says: Insurance Providers May Put Up Barriers to Care
Read More: Survey Says: Insurance Providers May Put Up Barriers to CareLike most parents, Jenna Gay would pretty much do anything to protect her kids. She just never expected “anything” would include battling a health insurance company. Gay has two boys, both of whom have Noonan Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder that can affect the way kids’ bodies use growth hormone (GH). This means they…
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What Is Step Therapy?
Read More: What Is Step Therapy?This resource has been created with support from AbbVie, Pfizer, Regeneron and Sanofi.
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Access, Access to health care, Family, Health care, Health insurance, Healthy home, Parenting, Preventive health
Health Insurance Coverage for Kids Through Medicaid and CHIP Helps Their Moms Too
Read More: Health Insurance Coverage for Kids Through Medicaid and CHIP Helps Their Moms TooBy Sebastian Tello-Trillo, University of Virginia The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea When children get health insurance through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, their families benefit too. That’s what I found through recent research conducted with two fellow health economists, Daniel S.…
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Access, Endometriosis, Health disparities, Health insurance, Racial disparities, Racism, Real women real stories, Women’s rights
I Was Bleeding to Death on the Bathroom Floor — While the Medics Insisted I Couldn’t Afford the Ambulance Ride
Read More: I Was Bleeding to Death on the Bathroom Floor — While the Medics Insisted I Couldn’t Afford the Ambulance RideAs told to Erica Rimlinger One evening during my senior year of college in Texas, I was hanging out at my boyfriend’s apartment when a vicious, blinding pain seized my abdomen. It was like I’d been shot, but the pain wasn’t localized: it was everywhere in my torso. I started bleeding like I had my…
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Access, Access to health care, Gender, Gender diversity, Health care, Health disparities, Health insurance, Lgbtq, Preventive care, Racial disparities, Racism, Transgender
What’s Sexual Orientation Got to Do With It? LGTBQ People Face Discrimination in Healthcare
Read More: What’s Sexual Orientation Got to Do With It? LGTBQ People Face Discrimination in HealthcareMarch 21 to March 25 is National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week. At age 28, Laura Silverstein tripped while running, dislocating her pinky finger trying to break her fall. Now 52, Silverstein said her experience at the emergency room that day still gives her “the heebie jeebies.” The doctor probed Silverstein about her birth control method,…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordability, Affordable care act, Birth control, Birth control pills, Contraception, Health insurance, Keep the care
It’s Illegal — but My Insurance Company Refused to Cover My Birth Control
Read More: It’s Illegal — but My Insurance Company Refused to Cover My Birth ControlAs told to Shannon Shelton Miller More than two years ago, I made an appointment with my physician to discuss the best contraceptive options for my healthcare needs. Together, we decided on a method and my physician submitted the prescription to my insurer. I was stunned when my insurer refused to cover my contraceptive of…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordable care act, Health insurance, HIV, Hivaids, Prevention, Preventive health, Sexually transmitted diseases, Stds
HIV Preventive Care Is Supposed to Be Free in the US. So, Why Are Some Patients Still Paying?
Read More: HIV Preventive Care Is Supposed to Be Free in the US. So, Why Are Some Patients Still Paying?By Sarah Varney, Kaiser Health News Anthony Cantu, 31, counsels patients at a San Antonio health clinic about a daily pill shown to prevent HIV infection. Last summer, he started taking the medication himself, an approach called preexposure prophylaxis, better known as PrEP. The regimen requires laboratory tests every three months to ensure the powerful…
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A Conversation With Janet McUlsky About Patient Advocacy
Read More: A Conversation With Janet McUlsky About Patient AdvocacyJanet McUlsky has been working in patient advocacy for more than four decades. She’s a nationally recognized expert and innovator in the field of stakeholder alliance development and programming and is the former senior director of National Alliance Development at Pfizer. McUlsky is this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Award: Honoring a Career of Outstanding…
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Survey Says: How Women View Health Care and Access to Health Information
Read More: Survey Says: How Women View Health Care and Access to Health InformationThese days, health-related insight is a click away. Curious about the symptoms of depression? Google it. Need the definition of collagen? Ask Alexa. Want to know more about women’s reproductive rights? Pick a podcast. But how do women view health care and access to health information? Do age, race and ethnicity play a part? What…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordability, Affordable care act, Health care, Health insurance, Keep the care, Preventive health, Reproductive rights, Women’s rights
The ACA guarantees full contraceptive coverage. Why are women getting denied?
Read More: The ACA guarantees full contraceptive coverage. Why are women getting denied?As Whitney* approached the end of her medical residency more than two years ago, she discovered a new birth control device that seemed like a perfect fit for her needs. The contraceptive — a one-year vaginal ring — meant she’d only need one prescription annually instead of the monthly refills required for most hormonal rings.…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordability, Affordable care act, Health care, Health disparities, Health insurance, Prevention, Preventive health, Racial disparities
Why Millions on Medicaid Are at Risk of Losing Coverage in the Months Ahead
Read More: Why Millions on Medicaid Are at Risk of Losing Coverage in the Months AheadBy Rachana Pradhan, Kaiser Health News The Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition. State Medicaid agencies for months have been…
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15 minutes with, Access, Access to health care, Affordability, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health insurance, Prevention, Preventive health, Vaccinations, Vaccines
15 Minutes With Dr. Leana Wen
Read More: 15 Minutes With Dr. Leana WenDr. Leana Wen is an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University who previously served as the health commissioner in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Wen is a familiar face on CNN, where she serves as a medical analyst, writes a weekly column in The Washington Post and hosts the Post’s newsletter, The Checkup…
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Is Your Health Insurance Provider Tracking You Online?
Read More: Is Your Health Insurance Provider Tracking You Online?As a graduate student in digital marketing, Rachel Cipriano, 46, knows just how much of her data is likely being collected online. Consumers leave digital footprints with every online purchase, Google search, take-out order or streaming binge. Where we live, how much money we earn, and whether or how much we smoke, drink, exercise, eat,…
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Transgender Children’s Rights Are Under Attack
Read More: Transgender Children’s Rights Are Under AttackFive years ago, Lisa Stanton’s now 10-year-old daughter, Maya, socially transitioned to her affirmed gender. (A person’s affirmed gender is the one that reflects their gender identity, as opposed to the gender assigned to them at birth.) The duo has been fighting against laws challenging transgender rights within their home state of Texas, ever since.…
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How Rural Communities Are Losing Their Pharmacies
Read More: How Rural Communities Are Losing Their PharmaciesBy Markian Hawryluk, Kaiser Health News Batson’s Drug Store seems like a throwback to a simpler time. The independently owned pharmacy in Howard, Kansas, still runs an old-fashioned soda counter and hand-dips ice cream. But the drugstore, the only one in the entire county, teeters on the edge between nostalgia and extinction. Julie Perkins, pharmacist…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordability, COVID-19, Health insurance, Obesity, Pandemic, Policy, Weight Loss, Weight management
Celebrating Every Body Requires Access to the Best Weight-Management Care
Read More: Celebrating Every Body Requires Access to the Best Weight-Management CareIf you’ve gained weight during the Covid-19 pandemic, you are not alone. A year into the pandemic, an American Psychological Association survey showed that 45% of women report undesired weight gain, with an average addition of 22 pounds. Gaining weight can make us feel insecure about our appearance or uncomfortable in pants we may have…
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Access, Health care, Health insurance, Policy, Pregnancy, Premature birth, Prevention, Preventive health, Racial disparities, Racism
Racism a Strong Factor in Black Women’s High Rate of Premature Births, Study Finds
Read More: Racism a Strong Factor in Black Women’s High Rate of Premature Births, Study FindsBy Anna Maria Barry-Jester, Kaiser Health News The tipping point for Dr. Paula Braveman came when a longtime patient of hers at a community clinic in San Francisco’s Mission District slipped past the front desk and knocked on her office door to say goodbye. He wouldn’t be coming to the clinic anymore, he told her,…
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Your Wealth or Your Health?
Read More: Your Wealth or Your Health?Lisa Keller thought she was done with cancer. She’d already survived a rare sarcoma at age 12 and breast cancer at age 28, so she was unprepared mentally — and financially — when she was diagnosed with breast cancer again in December of 2017 at age 44. Earlier that year, Keller had filed for bankruptcy…
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Access, Access to health care, Affordability, Affordable care act, Health care, Health insurance, Keep the care, Prevention, Preventive care, Preventive health
The Next Attack on the Affordable Care Act May Cost You Free Preventive Health Care
Read More: The Next Attack on the Affordable Care Act May Cost You Free Preventive Health CareBy Paul Shafer, Boston University and Alex Hoagland, Boston University Many Americans breathed a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court left the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in place following its third major legal challenge in June 2021. This decision left widely supported policies in place, like ensuring coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, coverage for…
