Health Blog

You have health insurance and a great primary care provider. Are there other resources that could help you build a personalized strategy to manage your health and wellbeing? Health advisory services are one option to explore. Health advisors do not provide medical care. Instead, they offer a range of services and resources that expand and... Read More

If a family member or friend asked you to serve as her or his medical power of attorney, what would your answer be? Many people say yes without a second thought, but you should take some time to understand what your responsibilities would be, why the person has chosen you, and what potential complications and... Read More

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have tried a virtual visit through an online app or a service provided by your health insurer. Many primary care physicians and specialists around the country didn’t even offer virtual visits as an option, but 2020 changed that. Because people were concerned about potential exposure to the virus at... Read More

If your doctor has recommended surgery, there are two important steps you should take before agreeing to undergo any procedure. First, seek a second opinion from a physician who has extensive experience treating people with your diagnosis. A second opinion can change or confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan and may provide you with other,... Read More

Second opinions can help lower your risk of experiencing a medical error or misdiagnosis, allow you to learn about all treatment options and their benefits and risks, connect you with physicians who have experience and success treating people with your condition, and provide you with peace of that mind that your diagnosis and treatment plan... Read More

Many people assume that if they have a good health insurance plan, that’s all they need to get access to the care they need. Unfortunately, health insurance is only one part of the care access equation. Even with a great health plan, it can still be difficult to get the care you need when you... Read More

I recently talked with KevinMD on his podcast about the potential unintended consequences of genetic testing. You can learn more about the subject in this post.   Clinical and direct-to-consumer genetic testing are much less expensive and more common than they used to be. You can buy a genetic test kit at Walmart or your... Read More

There’s no doubt the cost of the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 is high. Data collected by FAIR Health found costs that ranged from approximately $37,000 to more than $93,000 per patient, depending on age, location, and whether the patient had other health problems that increased the risk of complications from the virus. Early in... Read More

Depending on where you live and whether cases of COVID-19 are rising, stable, or falling, you may get a reminder from your doctor and dentist that you’re due for a preventive care appointment or a recommended cancer screening. Even in areas of the country where the number of new COVID-19 cases are staying about the... Read More

You may think of an advance directive as a document you only need once you’re in your 60s and 70s or when you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness. In fact, it’s a good idea to create your advance directive when you’re young and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that anyone at... Read More