What’s the difference between $20 and 20%? Unless you work in healthcare (and sometimes even then) you probably don’t know the difference between a co-payment and coinsurance. Or covered and non-covered services, and in- versus out-of-network providers, for that matter. If out-of-pocket limits sounds like Greek to you, I highly recommend a New York Times primer on the subject of basic US health insurance terms. It can help you make more informed decisions when choosing and using your health plan. Because 20% of $100,000 is significantly more than $20, wouldn’t you agree?

If ever there was a killer app for patients, this is it. Best of all, it’s free. iTriage is an iPhone app (now available for Android, too) that empowers you to get the most appropriate, affordable, timely, and quality care possible. This app, created by an ER doc, proves paternalistic medicine is so 20th century.

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Well, good to see we’re making progress. Or not. The annual Commonwealth Fund study reveals no movement in the US’s unenviable healthcare position. We covered this topic extensively in a previous post, and what it means for you the consumer and patient. But here’s the lowdown.

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If you live in Kentucky and have an appointment with an opthalmologist (eye doctor), make sure it’s not Dr. Rand Paul. Yes, that Rand Paul — the Tea Party hero/Kentucky GOP primary winner who is in dire need of messaging management. Turns out it’s not just his advertised critical thinking skills that are lacking. As a doctor, his skills are suspect and his honesty is non-existent. Read more…

When food safety legislation hinges on resistance to a tagged-on drug reimportation amendment, you know something’s not right. Senator Bryon Dorgan has made a last-ditch attempt to help his constituents before he retires, by legalizing less expensive prescription medication options. Unfortunately the political establishment and its cash cow lobbyists are dead set against it.

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