What to do with your tax refund
Nearly 80 percent of Americans who file a federal tax return receive a refund. For most, the refund is not “chump change,” but rather between $2,000 and $3,000. Review these do’s and don’ts to make good choices on how to use that money.
Kevin has worked with Freedom Financial Network since 2005. Before that time, he held the position of enrollment sales supervisor for Nationwide Financial Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. Kevin also has worked as a business analyst and customer service...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesAnnuity investments: A good way to pay for retirement health care
As health care changes and if the cost of it continues to increase, it’s imperative for retirement savers to factor in potentially significant health care costs when creating a retirement plan. An annuity is a smart tool to include in your retirement portfolio to possibly help cover health care costs. As you plan your retirement health care budget and factor in annuity payments, consider this advice.
Poolman has an independent regulatory consulting practice, where he advises insurance companies and producer clients on regulatory issues, and works with regulators on their behalf. Previously, Poolman was the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to avoid and deal with surprise medical bills
It may come as a shock to open your mail and find a sizable doctor’s bill, especially for medical care you thought your health plan would cover. Indeed, “surprise” bills have become much more common as plans, including many of those available through the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Exchanges, attempt to keep premiums low. Many of these plans include a wide range of cost-sharing options, and limited provider networks that may not pay for care from a doctor who is out-of-network. Luckily, many states are passing laws to help patients avoid these surprise bills.
Robin Gelburd is President of FAIR Health, Inc., a national ,independent, not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to bring transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through comprehensive data products, consumer resour...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesUnderstanding your medical bills can protect your financial health
It’s a perennial complaint of American patients that medical bills from the majority of providers are not really laid out properly. While some healthcare professionals are creating strides in offering more transparency, most bills remain extremely difficult to read for the general public. Here are some tips for getting more hyper-literate in terms of reading the medical bills that come from your doctor’s office or other healthcare provider.
Sue (Sunni) Patterson started in the healthcare industry as a senior medical claims processor with a major insurance payer. Sunni is President of RMK Holdings Inc., a healthcare revenue cycle management services firm. Key specialization areas in...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesRead the small print when signing medical financial consent forms
One of the biggest areas of concern that we've had for consumers who access medical services is related to what happens when a new patient or a returning patient, enters the doctor's office before an exam or test. For many, this time seems like 'empty time' or just a formality, but the fact is that a lot of what affects your future finances happens here, when you complete the stack of routine paperwork in the waiting room.
Sue (Sunni) Patterson started in the healthcare industry as a senior medical claims processor with a major insurance payer. Sunni is President of RMK Holdings Inc., a healthcare revenue cycle management services firm. Key specialization areas in...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesWhat to do when you cannot pay your medical bills
Affordable Care Act or not, Americans of every age are having a harder time paying for medical bills. A report issued in 2013 by NerdWallet Health estimated that 56 million Americans under age 65 had trouble paying medical bills. More than 15 million people between the ages of 19 and 64 would use up all savings to pay medical bills, 11 million would accumulate credit card debt, and nearly 10 million would be unable to pay for necessities (food, rent, heat) because of medical bills.
Kevin has worked with Freedom Financial Network since 2005. Before that time, he held the position of enrollment sales supervisor for Nationwide Financial Solutions in Tempe, Ariz. Kevin also has worked as a business analyst and customer service...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to avoid open-enrollment mistakes for health care benefits
As summer winds down, it means it's time to go back to school, bundle up with the cooler temperatures and, of course, watch some football. For many people, fall means something else too: open enrollment for health care benefits.
Matthew Owenby has 15 years of experience in the financial services/HR industry and is Aflac’s vice president of Human Resources. He is responsible for the strategy and implementation of all aspects of human resource management for Aflac’s mo...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to negotiate and manage large medical bills and billing errors
It’s bad enough to end up in the hospital, but the resultant large medical bills could prove to be as stressful and draining as the medical issue itself. Such bills can also be confusing, contain mistakes, or be misleading. However, getting overwhelmed won’t solve your problems. Follow this advice to help get your medical bill affairs in order.
As president of CreditRepair.com, Scott Smith manages the credit repair delivery process for enrolled members, supervising a staff of dedicated consumer advocates and communications specialists. Scott has worked with CreditRepair.com since its i...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesProtect yourself and your budget when signing online medical financial consent forms
In many cases, in order to help with the workload that a new patient typically encounters in the waiting room, medical providers are sending some forms through the Internet for patients to fill out or read at home. Some of these involve financial forms that, while seemingly boilerplate, can include some items that might affect any conflicts over payment for the cost of health care services after care is received. Here is some of the best advice for going over these important financial forms.
Sue (Sunni) Patterson started in the healthcare industry as a senior medical claims processor with a major insurance payer. Sunni is President of RMK Holdings Inc., a healthcare revenue cycle management services firm. Key specialization areas in...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesDo not let large medical bills weigh you down
Large medical bills can be overwhelming and confusing. They often come months after your appointments and procedures, leaving you guessing which ones are still due. Manage these bills by following some of our simple do’s and don’ts.
Amanda is a clinical social worker (MSW, LICSW) who has worked with mentally ill adults in both in-patient hospital and community mental health settings. She also spent nearly three years as a social worker in one of the largest NICUs in the Pac...
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