health insurance help Archives - Page 10 of 29

Appealing Insurance Claim Denials

Having health insurance is important, so you won’t have to pay a lot out-of-pocket when the bill for your doctor visit or treatment comes. But even if you do have health insurance, you could end up being denied coverage for treatment, lab work, or other medical services you have received, meaning you will be required to pay for those services out-of-pocket. But don’t lose hope: if you have health insurance and one of your claims is denied, know that you have the right to appeal the denial.

Why Was Your Claim Denied?

Health insurance companies can make mistakes, or can sometimes be persuaded to change their minds about a claim, so it’s always worth exercising your right to appeal a health insurance claim denial presented to you. And fortunately, appealing a denial is easier than you might think.

The first step to appealing a denial is to review your health insurance plan’s benefits to make sure that the service is covered by your plan. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can contact your insurer’s customer service department and ask for assistance.

If it seems as if the service should have been covered by your insurance plan, the next step is to understand why you were actually denied the coverage. Reasons for denials can include:

The provider you saw was not in the insurance company’s network. This is a common mistake, so remember that it is important to always check if your doctor is in-network before seeing them.
The treatment you received is not FDA-approved.
The services you received were not deemed medically necessary for your condition. If you need to appeal on these grounds, you’ll need a note from your doctor stating why the treatment is medically necessary.

The Next Steps for Appealing Your Denial

1. Appeal The Insurer

Once you have a better idea of why your claim was denied, you should obtain an appeal form from your insurer. Be sure to also contact your provider and request any documentation that you will need from them, so you have everything ready before you even fill out the appeal application. You can include an appeal letter stating why the treatment was medically necessary for your condition, with backing from your doctor. Keep records of all communication you have with your insurer regarding your appeal.

2. Appeal The Insurer Again

If you have done all of the above, and are not happy with your insurer’s response, you can request a second-level review by the insurance company.

illustration of a hand with a magnifying glass looking at papers — *You can appeal to the insurer and then ask for a third party to review your appeal as well.*

3. Appeal to an Independent Review Organization

If you have submitted an appeal to your insurance company, and have also appealed a second time, and still have not received a satisfactory reply, you can request a third-level appeal to an outside organization, known as an independent review organization. Your claim might be reviewed by a doctor or another clinician who is board-certified and licensed in the same or similar specialty as the treatment.

Find A Better Health Plan

Unfortunately, sometimes you will find that your health insurance plan doesn’t cover everything you need it to, leaving you with a big bill that you will have to pay out-of-pocket. If your plan isn’t adequate for your needs, it’s time to find a plan that is, so you can save as much money as possible. If you’re shopping for a plan, your best bet is to speak to a licensed EZ agent. Our agents work with the top-rated insurance companies in the nation, so we can compare plans in minutes. We will not only find a plan that has all the benefits you’re looking for, but we will also make sure the plan meets your financial needs. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation.

Most People Are Iron Deficient, But What If You Have Too Much?

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, and the leading cause of anemia, in the United States. This deficiency is caused by an increased need for iron in the body, or a decrease in the absorption of iron. But in rare cases, people can absorb too much iron in their body, which causes a condition known as hemochromatosis. Too much iron stored in your body can cause many complications and even lead to life-threatening conditions. So what is hemochromatosis, and how is it treated?

What Causes Hemochromatosis?

red blood cells — *Hemochromatosis is when you have too much iron in your blood.*

As mentioned above, hemochromatosis is a medical condition marked by an inability to get rid of excess iron. Iron can build up in your liver, skin, heart, pancreas, joints, and pituitary gland, and cause serious problems.

In the United States, around 1 in 300 Caucasian people have this condition, and many do not realize they have it. It is more common in males than it is in females; if females do have it, symptoms generally will not appear until after menopause. There are two forms of hemochromatosis: primary and secondary.

1. Primary hemochromatosis

Primary hemochromatosis, also known as hereditary hemochromatosis, is a genetic disorder caused by the inheritance of two defective hemochromatosis (HFE) genes, or the gene that controls how much iron your body absorbs from food. If you inherit only one abnormal HRE gene, you’re unlikely to develop hemochromatosis, but you will be a carrier of the gene mutation, and will be able to pass the mutation to your children.

2. Secondary hemochromatosis

Secondary hemochromatosis is a buildup of iron that is not caused by a genetic abnormality, but rather by a separate condition. With this type of hemochromatosis, your red blood cells release too much iron into the body because the cells are too fragile to hold the iron. Risk factors for secondary hemochromatosis include:

Alcohol dependency
Family history of diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease
Taking iron and vitamin C supplements
Blood transfusions

Symptoms

Many people who have hemochromatosis are unaware they have it because there are not many noticeable symptoms. Some early signs and symptoms of it will look like those of other conditions, which can mean that doctors will often mistake it for something else. Some common symptoms include:

Fatigue and weakness
Joint pain
Abdominal pain
Diabetes
Impotence
Heart failure
Bronze or gray skin color
Weight loss
Memory fog

If you have hereditary hemochromatosis, you will have the condition from birth, but most symptoms will not appear until later in life. Symptoms do not usually become apparent until around age 40 in men, and after age 60 in women. This is because women typically won’t develop any symptoms until after menopause, when they are no longer losing iron due to menstruation.

Complications

If you leave hemochromatosis untreated, it can lead to complications in joints and organs where the excess iron tends to be stored. The complications can include:

Liver problems– Cirrhosis, or permanent scarring of the liver, can occur. A liver transplant may be necessary in this case.
Diabetes– Excess iron can damage the pancreas, leading to diabetes.
Reproductive problems– Too much iron can lead to erectile dysfunction and/or the loss of sex drive in both men and women.
Heart disease– Your heart’s ability to circulate enough blood for your body’s needs will be affected, causing congestive heart failure. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythms.

Treating hemochromatosis

There are several different treatments that can help manage the high iron levels in your body, including:

Phlebotomy– This is the main medical treatment for hemochromatosis. It involves taking blood and iron from the body: a pint of blood will be removed once or twice a week until iron levels are normal, then treatment will be every two to four months.
Chelation– This involves a doctor injecting drugs or giving you pills to help your body expel the excess iron in your urine or stool. This is a more expensive treatment option, and can have side effects such as pain and flu-like symptoms.

You can also take measures to change your lifestyle to help manage the condition. Make sure to have annual blood tests to monitor your iron levels and avoid any vitamin supplements, especially vitamin C and iron. In addition, you should stick to a healthy diet, avoid any alcohol, and keep a log of your iron levels to monitor any changes.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, speak to a doctor immediately. If you are worried about the cost of treating this disease, remember that having a good health insurance policy is key.

EZ offers a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money, even hundreds of dollars, even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Don’t Let Stress Take A Toll On Your Body, Get Help From EZ

It’s happening again: you’re overwhelmed with everything you’ve got on your plate. You’re running late, you have to drop your kids off at school or their extracurricular activities, and on top of that, you have work and chores to get done. All of these are just some of the stressors that most people have piled on them every day, and they can result in physical symptoms of stress like daily headaches, back pain, neck pain day, or just muscle tension at the end of the day. April is Stress Awareness Month, so find out just how stress takes its toll on your body, and how you can manage it, so you don’t have to live with the way that stress affects your health.

How Does Stress Affect Your Physical Health?

Stress doesn’t just take a toll on your mental health, it can also cause actual, physical symptoms. Just take a look at how stress affects each of these areas of your body:

Musculoskeletal System

When you’re stressed, your muscles tense up. This is your body’s way of guarding against injury and pain, so in a way, your muscles are always on guard and tensed when you’re stressed. You might find that you have tightness in your neck or back when you’re stressed, or even that you have tension headaches or migraines, which are associated with chronic muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and head.

Respiratory System

Your body has other ways of dealing with stress other than tensing up. You might find that stress and other emotions present as respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and rapid breathing. This happens because stress can constrict the airway between the nose in the lungs, and even cause a panic or asthma attack.

Cardiovascular System

Stress can lead to issues in your cardiovascular system, because it increases your heart rate, creating stronger contractions of the heart muscle. Blood vessels, which direct your blood to the large muscles and the heart, dilate, increasing the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body and elevating your blood pressure. This is the same response you’ll have as when you’re in an extreme fight or flight situation, so chronic stress can contribute to long-term problems for the heart and blood vessels, leading to possible hypertension, heart attack, or stroke.

Endocrine System

During times of stress, the hypothalamus, which is a collection of nuclei that connects the brain and the endocrine signals, and the pituitary gland produce a hormone that increases the production of cortisol. This chemical can provide the energy required to deal with the stress until it has passed. But if you’re dealing with chronic stress, you could end up with impaired communication between the immune system and brain. Over a long period of time, this impaired communication can lead to physical and mental health conditions including chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, and more.

the inside of the stomach illustration — *Stress also affects how your brain and gut communicate, and can trigger pain.*

Gastrointestinal System

How does stress affect your gut? Well, stress is associated with changes in gut bacteria, which can influence your mood. Stress also affects how your brain and gut communicate, and can trigger pain, bloating, and other discomforts in your stomach. You might even find yourself eating more or less than usual when you are stressed, having heartburn or acid reflux, vomiting, or being more bloated or uncomfortable than usual. Stress can also affect how you digest food and what nutrients the intestines absorb.

Nervous System

The nervous system comprises the brain, spinal cord, and autonomic and somatic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system (specifically what’s known as the sympathetic nervous system, or SNS) has a direct role in the physical response to stress, contributing to what is known as the “fight or flight” response. The body shifts its energy resources towards the fight or the flight, with the SNS signaling the adrenal glands to release hormones called adrenalin and cortisol. These hormones can cause your heart to beat faster, your respiratory rate to rise, the blood vessels in your arms and legs to dilate, your digestive process to change, and glucose levels (sugar energy) in the bloodstream to increase to deal with the emergency.

Your body is supposed to go back to a normal state after the stress has passed, but chronic stress can result in a long-term drain on the body, since all of these reactions cause wear and tear on all of your body’s systems.

Reproductive system

Stress can take a toll on both the male and female reproductive systems. It can affect testosterone production over time, which will result in a decline in sex drive or libido. It can even cause erectile dysfunction or impotence in men, as well as impact sperm production.

In the female reproductive system, stress can affect menstruation among adolescent girls and women. It can result in absent or irregular menstrual cycles, more painful periods, and changes in the length of the menstrual cycle. It can also have an impact on a woman’s ability to conceive, as well as her health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Managing Stress

The best thing that you can do for your mental and physical health is to find ways to manage and take control of the stress in your life. This could be working out, meditating, getting a good amount of sleep every night, or just having a great support system – what’s most important is that you take the time to create these habits. If you feel that stress is taking over your life and affecting your health, though, it is important to seek medical attention, whether from your primary care physician, or a psychologist, who can help you with strategies to manage your stress.

EZ can help you find a plan that covers all of your medical needs when seeking help. We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money, even hundreds of dollars, even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

A Guide To Dealing With Complex PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that is often triggered by witnessing or experiencing something terrible. Almost 8% of the population will experience PTSD at some point in their life. But now a newer classification of PTSD has emerged that is meant to separate a more intense version of PTSD, called complex PTSD, or CTPSD. This type of PTSD, which can be caused by repeated trauma over months and years rather than by a single event, has become more widely recognized by doctors in recent years. Dealing with complex PTSD can be more complicated than dealing with non-complex PTSD, and while mental health professionals are still undecided about the best course of treatment, there are things that can be done.

Causes of Complex PTSD

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is thought to be caused by chronic or prolonged exposure to many traumatic experiences, as opposed to one single traumatic event. “It’s the concentration camp, the person in a bomb shelter in Syria, the soldier in war or child suffering sexual or physical abuse. It’s happening to you, or you’re witnessing it,” says Dr. Robert Shulman, associate chair of psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center.

There are various types of traumatic events that can cause complex PTSD, including:

Ongoing domestic violence or abuse
Childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment
Being a prisoner of war
Torture
Kidnapping
Repeatedly witnessing violence or abuse
Being forced or manipulated into prostitution

Symptoms

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder will often have similar symptoms to PTSD, along with some additional symptoms, such as:

Unwanted repeated flashbacks or nightmares of the event or events.
Difficulty controlling your emotions.
Avoiding friendships and relationships, or finding them very difficult.
A need to avoid triggers that will remind you of traumatic events.
Feeling like nobody can understand what happened to you.
Feeling as if you are permanently damaged or worthless.
Reactive symptoms such as difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Reckless behavior.
Feelings of detachment from others.
Feelings of anger, sadness, fear, guilt, or shame.

“People have severe difficulty with emotional regulation, self-image and sustaining personal relationships that are not fully captured by a PTSD diagnosis,” says Dr. Thomas Neylan, director of the PTSD Clinic at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a professor of psychiatry at the University of California—San Francisco.

Treatment

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has not yet developed any recommendations specifically for complex PTSD. The standard treatment used for regular PTSD can be helpful, but people with complex PTSD need more long-term, intensive support. Treatment might include:

Talk therapy, or psychotherapy
Skills training, which can help manage strong emotions and triggers
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, involves directing eye movements while talking about traumatic experiences.
Medication
Medical marijuana
Virtual reality

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health condition that has only been recognized fairly recently, so it will take more time for effective treatments to be developed. It is a lifelong condition, but with the help of therapy and other forms of treatment, it can be managed.

In addition, if you are living with a mental health issue, being insured will give you peace of mind, and the coverage you need to make sure you can see your doctor regularly, and get any treatments you might need. If you’re looking for an insurance plan, EZ can help: we offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Infertility Rates in Women Are Rising, Find Out What’s Going on and What You Can Do

The U.S. birth rate is the lowest it’s been in more than three decades, and the U.S. fertility rate is at a record low. Fertility issues in women are increasing, with an estimated 15% of couples having trouble conceiving, and this number just continues to grow. All of this means that around 5 to 10% of couples will seek help conceiving a baby each year. Infertility can also cause issues beyond trouble conceiving: it can also lead to mental health issues like depression. If you are worried about conceiving, know there are some ways to reduce the chances of infertility; if these don’t work, there are many treatment options available, including medications, surgery, and IVF.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant even after having frequent and unprotected sex for a year or more. It can affect both women and men, with one-third of infertility cases generally due to a problem with the male partner, one-third due to a female problem, and one-third due to a combination of unknown reasons.

Female infertility, or female factor infertility, can have multiple reasons behind it: for example, a menstrual cycle that is too long or too short, or other medical issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease. If you are having trouble conceiving, speak to your doctor, who will run tests to help determine the cause of your infertility.

How Common Is Infertility?

Infertility is fairly common, with at least 10% of women dealing with some form of it. The chances of being infertile increase as a woman ages; poor nutrition, high BMI, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol and drug use can also affect fertility. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of infertility, but, for women, the reasons can include problems with:

The uterus- Fibroids, polyps, or adhesions inside the uterus can cause fertility issues.
The fallopian tubes- Pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause infertility because it affects the fallopian tubes.
Ovulation- Irregular ovulation can pose a problem when trying to get pregnant. Many things can affect ovulation, such as a hormonal imbalance, substance abuse, or a thyroid condition.
Egg number and quality– Women are born with a limited number of eggs that are released every time they have their period. Some women have issues with their eggs, such as chromosomal issues that will make them less likely to become impregnated.

Why Are Female Infertility Rates Increasing?

Many factors can increase a woman’s risk of infertility, including genetic traits and lifestyle choices. The biggest factor in determining infertility, though, is generally age: as a woman ages, the chances of becoming pregnant decrease because of egg quantity and quality, as noted above.

But there are other reasons that rates of infertility are increasing:

Environmental factors- Chemicals in foods and cleaning products can contribute to infertility. This means that sticking with a clean diet and using greener household supplies is a good idea if you’re trying to get pregnant.
Lifestyle factors- Having a high or low BMI, being regularly exposed to chemicals, smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise can contribute to women’s infertility.

Diagnosis & Tests

To diagnose infertility, doctors will perform tests including a pap smear, pelvic exam, ultrasound, and blood tests. They may also perform:

A laparoscopy, in which a small instrument is inserted into the abdomen to look at the organs.
A saline sonohysterogram, during which your doctor will fill your uterus with saline and use an ultrasound machine to look at the lining of the uterus to check for any polyps, fibroids, or abnormalities.
A hysteroscopy, in which a small device with a camera will be inserted into the vagina to provide a better view of the inside of the uterus.

Reducing Your Chances

Most forms of female infertility cannot be prevented; however, you can make some lifestyle modifications to reduce your risks of infertility. This can be done by cutting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight by eating well and exercising.

Living With Infertility

If you are diagnosed with infertility, that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. Once your doctor determines the cause or causes of your fertility issues, you can discuss the right treatment options for you. If the cause is structural, surgery can correct it; if it is hormonal, medication might help.

And if all else fails, artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization can help a woman to get pregnant. One study by Fertility Solutions showed that females aged 30-33 have the best chance of success (58%) during their first cycle of IVF compared to females of other age groups.

Dealing with infertility is not only a medical condition: it can be a mental health one as well. Studies show that dealing with fertility issues can lead to depression in both women and men. Speak to your doctor or a mental health professional if you’re feeling hopeless, or feel that your mental health is suffering in any way because of your physical condition.

To get tested, and treated, for infertility, you’ll need a good health insurance plan. If you’re looking for an insurance plan, EZ can help: we offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money, even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

When Was The Last Time You Were Checked For Testicular Cancer?

The chance of a man developing testicular cancer is around 1 in 250, meaning that between 8 and 10 thousand men will develop it each year. Fortunately, the recovery rate for testicular cancer is very high: around 95% of all men with testicular cancer will beat it if they catch it early. But what exactly are the signs of testicular cancer that will help you detect it early? Have you or your loved one been checked for it lately? Find out just what to look for, how this cancer is diagnosed, and how it is treated.

What Is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the tissue of a testicle. It is very rare that the cancer cells will develop in both testicles, but it can happen. More than 90% of testicular cancer cases start in the germ cells, which are cells in the testicles that develop into sperm. There are two primary types of these testicular germ cell cancers:

Seminoma– This type accounts for around 30 to 40% of testicular cancers, and grows slowly in young germ cells.
Non-seminoma– This type occurs in more mature germ cells, and grows into more aggressive tumors.

Who Is At Risk?

While testicular cancer can occur at any age, it is most common in men between the ages of 20 and 35, with an average diagnosis age of 33 years old. It tends to be at its most malignant amongst 22 to 40-year-old men. Diagnosis is most common in Caucasian men, and less common in African American, Latino, and Asian American men. In fact, Caucasian men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American men, and three times more likely than Asian American men.

In addition, men who are at most at risk are those who have:

Undescended testicles, which means one or both testicles did not move down into the scrotum before birth
Family history, such as a brother or father who had testicular cancer
Infertility

Symptoms

It’s important to recognize the signs of testicular cancer, since the earlier you catch it, the more likely you are to beat it. Symptoms to look out for include:

Tenderness in the scrotum
A lump or swelling in either testicle
A shrinking testicle
Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or testicle
Fluid in the scrotum
A dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen area

Diagnosis

If you or your loved one experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Your doctor will order an ultrasound to see if there are any abnormalities in the testicle; if there are any abnormalities or evidence of cancer, you will need to have surgery to remove the testicle, so it can be examined to see whether cancer is present. Testicular cancer can only be diagnosed after the testicle is removed and examined; unfortunately, biopsies cannot be performed on testicles.

Aside from ultrasounds, other tests to help diagnose testicular cancer can include:

A tumor marker test– A blood sample is taken and is used to measure the number of certain substances linked to specific types of cancers. The tumor markers that are often elevated in cases of testicular cancer are alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase.
CT scans and X-rays- CT scans and X-rays can be performed to determine if there is cancer present anywhere else in the body, usually the abdomen and pelvis.

Treatment

chemotherapy IV bag — *Chemotherapy is one way to help reduce cancer cells.*

On the rare occasion that testicular cancer is found, there are three different kinds of treatment available, including:

Surgical treatment- The testicle is removed, as well as some lymph nodes. Surgery can also be performed in certain situations to remove tumors from the lungs or liver if they do not disappear after receiving chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy- High-dose radiation will be used to kill cancer cells. This type of treatment is more commonly used for cases of seminomas.
Chemotherapy– Drugs are administered to kill cancer cells in cases of both seminomas and non-seminomas.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent testicular cancer, but early detection can help immensely. You should perform a self-examination once a month to see if there are any lumps or issues in your testicles and scrotum. It’s best to perform the exam in a warm shower because the warm water relaxes the skin of the scrotum making it easier to feel for anything unusual.

When performing the exam, you should feel around for any lumps that are pea-sized or larger, as well as check to see if there has been any change in the size of your testicles. If you find a lump, the next step is to immediately contact your healthcare provider.

It is also important to get a physical exam once a year so that your doctor can check you, as well. To get the preventive care you need, you’ll need a good health insurance plan that will allow you to see your doctor regularly, and get any treatments you might need. If you’re looking for an insurance plan, EZ can help: we offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. And because we work with so many companies and can offer all of the plans available in your area, we can find you a plan that saves you a lot of money – even hundreds of dollars – even if you don’t qualify for a subsidy. There is no obligation, or hassle, just free quotes on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.