Understanding Your Health Insurance Coverage

If you have health insurance coverage, it's essential that you understand the details of your plan. Unless you've got a grasp on, for instance, what services are covered and what procedures you must follow to get the coverage you deserve, you can count on disputes arising with your health insurance company.

Getting the Most From Your Health Insurance

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the majority of Americans -- 84.4% -- are covered by some form of health insurance, mostly through a current or former employer or union. Simply having coverage is not enough, however. In order to get the most from your health insurance coverage, you must know what

Health Plan Disputes: An Overview

Disputes between consumers and their health insurance companies are becoming more and more common. Disagreements can crop up over things like denial of coverage for medical services already received, a refusal to authorize a procedure or visit to a specialist, or an incorrect charge for office visits

Health Plan Disputes: Internal Reviews

If you believe your health plan was wrong in making a coverage or payment decision -- including denying coverage, refusing to authorize certain treatment, or billing for questionable charges -- you have the right to formally request that the health plan take another look at your situation with a internal

Introduction to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a popular option for those who are not insured under a traditional health plan. The account, when combined with the required high deductible health insurance plan, allows you to save for future medical expenses with tax-free dollars.  Using an HSA can bring down the overall cost of health care for some people, but it's not the best option for everyone.

Best Health Insurance and Health Care Expenses Websites

For guidance on selecting the best health insurance plan for yourself, your rights under the federal laws governing health plans and medical providers, and ways you can save money on health care ex

How can I get my records from former doctors?

I used to go to a doctor in Colorado. Then I moved to California and went to another doctor. I signed a release for the California doc to obtain records from the one in Colorado. Later on, I had to go to yet another doctor, who asked me for all pertinent past records. To get the ball in motion, I sent a certified letter to the California doctor and asked for the records she had obtained from the Colorado doctor. She sent a certified letter back saying that she was prohibited by law from giving me these records and that I had to go directly to the Colorado doctor to obtain them. I do not want her to keep these records, and I need them for my new physician. Is it true that the law forbids her from turning my own medical records over to me or a new doctor of my choice?