Health 411

May 19, 2012

Health 411: Doctor's office took co-pay it shouldn't have taken

I had a routine physical exam a couple of weeks ago and paid a $40 co-pay. I thought it was strange, so I called my insurance company. They said I should not have had to pay a co-pay for a routine physical exam.

May 4, 2012

Health 411: Health insurance law for children is being played out

I just applied for an insurance plan for my 10-year-old daughter, but she was denied because she has asthma. I thought the new health reform law required insurance companies to cover kids.

9:38 AM PDT, April 5, 2012

When a health insurer won't pay for an ER visit

Our 7-year-old daughter awoke screaming and could not be comforted or touched. We took her to the emergency room. Now our insurance company is denying the visit, saying that it wasn't medically necessary for her to be seen in the ER. Yet the emergency room physician considered a spinal tap to rule out meningitis. How could this visit not be necessary?

April 20, 2012

Health 411: Seniors from Canada have options for joining Medicare

My wife and I arrived as legal immigrants from Canada four years ago at the age of 63 to be closer to our three children. Having lived in Canada most of our lives, we never contributed to Medicare. Right now I am self-employed and have a small-business health plan through Kaiser. The premiums have escalated from $450 per month to $1,228 per month, with a very high deductible. I am afraid we may have to return to Canada, where we enjoyed free healthcare. I am sure that many parents who join their children in the U.S. are in the same situation and would like to know what other options are available.

February 27, 2012

Health 411: Insurance for a cancer survivor

I need help finding affordable health insurance. I got insurance through California's Major Risk Medical Insurance Program in 1991 after having breast cancer. My premiums are now a whopping $1,209 each month! I have not had any cancer issues since the original bout, but I have been reluctant to change policies (assuming that I could find one). Can you help me find something more affordable?

January 30, 2012

Health 411: Lab fee differences; dental implant coverage

My wife required blood hormone tests every two weeks for a while. One lab cost $30 but another charged $145 for the same test. Both were listed in our Blue Shield PPO insurance information.

July 25, 2011

Health 411

Aunt's nursing home hinders exit

My aunt is in a nursing home. They tell us she isn't allowed to leave unless she gets the doctor's permission. If she does, she has to sign a statement saying she doesn't hold them liable and will lose all her healthcare coverage. She is on Medicare. Can you help?

June 13, 2011

Health 411

When advance directives are not honored, and how to get data on medical prices

When I checked into a surgical center recently for a procedure that required general anesthesia, I presented my advance healthcare directive. But as I read over the consent form for the surgery, I noticed one of the provisions advised me that the surgical center had chosen "not to honor" these directives.

July 11, 2011

Health 411

Medicare guidance is here

I've had trouble finding a doctor who accepts Medicare. Is there a source that can help?

June 27, 2011

Health 411

Research security standards before storing medical data with a business

I had an MRI recently and asked for a copy of the test. Instead of giving me a CD copy, they offered to put it online with a company that would allow me to access my images and share them with my doctors as needed. It seems like a good idea, but how do I know if it is really secure or private? Should I trust this new technology or stick with a copy on a CD?