Having a health insurance plan means being able to see your doctor and get medical treatment without having to worry about going bankrupt, but it can also mean a lot of paperwork. It’s important to know what kind of paperwork to expect after receiving treatment, as well as how to read everything you get in the mail from your providers and your insurance company.
For example, in addition to getting a bill from your provider after you receive treatment, you will also get what’s known as an explanation of benefits, or EOB, from your insurance company. It will look like a bill, but it is not: it’s simply an explanation of the services that you received, how much the insurance company will pay for the services you received, and how much you will end up paying out-of-pocket. Generally, you will receive an EOB every time you receive a service or treatment from your healthcare provider, including seeing your doctor, going to the hospital, getting lab work done, etc.
Your EOB Will Include:
Your Information– Your name, or the name of your dependent (whoever received the service)
Health Plan Information– Your (or the insured’s) health insurance ID or policy number, and the claim number
The Name of the Health Care Provider – The doctor, dentist, specialist, laboratory, hospital, or clinic that provided your treatment/care
Date of Service– When you received the service from your provider
Service Description- A description of what service you received, and whether it was an office visit, lab work, or other diagnostic screenings
Provider Charges- The amount your provider billed your insurance company for the service you received
Allowed Charges- The amount your provider receives as payment from your insurance company
Paid by Insurer- The amount your health insurance plan pays your provider.
What You Owe- The difference between what the provider charged and what your health plan paid
Why Are EOBs Useful?
EOBs are a tool for showing you the value of your health insurance plan, and for helping you to plan for your healthcare costs. You will see the cost of the services you received and the savings your plan has given you; you will also be able to see how much you have paid toward your deductible and how much is left for the year to pay.
Not only that, but your EOB is an important tool for helping you understand how claims are processed, and for helping you to ensure that there are no errors on your bills. You will want to pay close attention to your explanation of benefits letter and check for any issues like double billing, bills for services you didn’t receive, bills for the wrong service, or errors in the calculation of contributions to your deductible.
Don’t make the mistake of ignoring your EOB, or paying it as if it were a bill: you could end up paying more than you should for medical services.
If you find an error in your EOB, then contact the insurance company and explain what it is so you do not get charged for a mistake.
If You Find An Error
If you find any errors in your EOB, you need to contact your health insurance company immediately and notify them so they can investigate them and correct them with the provider. And if you feel like your health insurance company is not providing the best coverage, it might be time to consider looking for other options.
The best way to understand how health insurance works, and to find the right plan for you and your family’s specific needs, is by working with an agent who specializes in health insurance. 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.
Cases of endometrial cancer are rising in the U.S.: according to the American Cancer Society, roughly 65,950 new cases of cancer of the uterus will be diagnosed in 2022, and around 12,550 women will die from these cancers. Endometrial cancer has typically not affected women under the age of 45, but it is becoming more common in younger women because of the rise of obesity in this country. In fact, the risk of developing endometrial cancer for women aged 20 to 29 rose from 0.6 per 100,000 women to 1.2 per 100,000 women from 2000 to 2017. March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month, and we want to raise awareness of the rise of this type of cancer, and give you tips for reducing your risk of developing it.
What is Endometrial Cancer?
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of cancer of the uterus. It develops when cells start to grow out of control in the lining of the uterus, or the endometrium. According to the American Cancer Society, there are different grades of endometrial cancer:
Grade 1 tumors have 95% or more of cancer tissue forming glands.
Grade 2 tumors have between 50% and 94% of cancer tissue forming glands.
Grade 3 tumors have less than half of cancer tissue forming glands.
Causes
African American women are more likely to die from endometrial cancer.
Doctors are not 100% sure what causes endometrial cancer, other than the fact that women who develop it have mutations in the DNA of cells in their endometrium. We do know, though, that it most commonly affects Caucasian women, although African American women are more likely to die from it.
In addition, there are other risk factors that can increase the risk of endometrial cancer: for example, being overweight can be one contributing factor, since excess weight can mean an increase in estrogen, which affects the endometrium.
According to Dr. Mehdi Kebria, a gynecologic oncologist at City of Hope, “Excessive estrogen exposure leads to thickening of the endometrium and eventually long-term exposure to high amounts of estrogen can lead to endometrial cancer.”
Aside from excess weight, the other factors that can increase your risk of developing endometrial cancer include:
Age- The older you are, the greater your risk for endometrial cancer
Family history- If you have close relatives, such as a parent or sibling, who have endometrial or colorectal cancer, you are more likely to develop it.
Hormone therapy for breast cancer– Taking the hormone therapy drug Tamoxifen can increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Obesity- Excess body fat alters your body’s balance of hormones, which increases your cancer risk.
Never having been pregnant
Being diagnosed with Lynch syndrome- This genetic condition increases your risk of colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and several other cancers.
Symptoms
Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting is a sign of endometrial cancer.
Early detection is important for treating endometrial cancer: the earlier it is detected, the more likely you are to survive. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that there are more than 600,000 endometrial cancer survivors in the U.S. today, mainly because women are more aware of early symptoms, and are seeking medical care and getting treatment.
“Most of the time it’s detected with some vaginal spotting or bleeding. That’s the most common symptom,” says Dr. Ursula Matulonis, chief of the gynecologic oncology division at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “By no means does that necessarily mean that someone’s going to develop or has already a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, but it’s a signal.”
“Pain in the pelvis, feeling a mass (tumor), and losing weight without trying can also be symptoms of endometrial cancer,” according to the American Cancer Society. “These symptoms are more common in later stages of the disease.”
Of course, for any possible symptom of cancer, it’s important to promptly see your doctor. “Any delay in seeking medical help may allow the disease to progress even further,” the ACS emphasizes. “This lowers the odds of treatment being successful.”
Diagnosis
If you are experiencing symptoms, your doctor might perform an endometrial biopsy, a transvaginal ultrasound, or other tests. These tests can be used to help diagnose or rule out uterine cancer. Your doctor might do this test in their office, or they may refer you to another doctor.
Endometrial biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from the uterus and analyzing it for cancer.
Transvaginal ultrasound uses sound waves to spot issues such as a tumor or an endometrium that’s thicker than normal, which could mean endometrial cancer.
Hysteroscopy, which involves putting a small telescope in the uterus to get a close view of the lining.
CT scan or an MRI to check if the cancer has spread.
Treatment
Endometrial cancer is highly treatable when found early. Treatment depends on the stage of endometrial cancer. There are generally 5 standard treatments used:
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Targeted therapy
Endometrial cancer is often caught in stage 1, so the treatment is commonly surgery to remove the uterus (a hysterectomy). If the cancer has spread to the ovaries and lymph nodes, they will be removed as well.
The majority of patients will recover after receiving treatment for stage 1 endometrial cancer and will remain cancer-free. But if it does come back or has spread, immunotherapy will be recommended to help your immune system fight the cancer.
Prevention
Cases of endometrial cancer might be rising, but there are some steps you can take to help reduce your risk:
Consider taking birth control pills- Taking oral contraceptives for at least one year can reduce endometrial cancer risk.
Maintain a healthy weight
See your gynecologist regularly- In some cases, a pap smear that checks for cervical cancer can also detect cancerous endometrial cells.
In addition, being insured will give you peace of mind, and the coverage you need to make sure you can see your gynecologist 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.
Diving into the world of health insurance can be intimidating. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re looking for a plan because of all of the jargon and terminology that you need to become familiar with. But knowing what everything means as you research plans will help you to determine which one is best for you and your family, and will ensure you get the best coverage at the best price. Whether this is your first time buying health insurance or not, knowing the following health insurance terminology will help you make a more informed decision.
Actual charge is the dollar amount that is charged by a doctor for a particular medical service.
Actual Charge
This is the dollar amount that is charged by a doctor or other healthcare provider for a particular medical service or treatment.
Actuary
A person that is trained in the mathematical and statistical aspects of the insurance industry. They are the ones who calculate premium rates and assist in estimating the costs and savings of your health insurance plan.
Allowed Amount
Also sometimes called an eligible expense, a payment allowance, or negotiated rates, an allowed amount is the amount that your insurance company is willing to pay for a covered healthcare service. If your provider charges more than the allowed amount, you might have to pay the difference.
Balance Billing
This is a bill for the amount that you owe for a particular service after insurance has paid its share – in other words, the difference between the actual charge and the allowed amount. For example, if your provider charges you $200 for a service, and the allowed amount is $100, your provider will most likely bill you for the remaining $100.
Coinsurance
This is your share of the cost of a covered healthcare service, calculated as a percent of the allowed amount for the service. You generally have to pay the coinsurance plus any deductible that you owe. For example, if your health insurance plan’s allowed amount is $100 for an office visit and you’ve met your deductible, your coinsurance payment of 20% would be $20 for the visit.
This is a fixed amount you pay for covered health care services, such as visits to your doctor, specialists, or any other health care professional. Your co-pay will vary depending on the type of covered healthcare service you receive: visits to a primary care physician, specialist, and the emergency room will all be priced differently.
This is the amount you have to pay each year in medical expenses before your health insurance will kick in and begin to cover the rest of the year’s medical expenses. For example, if your deductible is $2,000, your plan will not pay anything until you have met your $2,000 deductible for covered healthcare services.
Drug Formulary
A list of prescription medications that are selected for coverage under a health insurance plan. Prescription drugs can be included on a drug formulary based on their efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Some plans will place medications on different tiers, which will change the price of the medications. Some health insurance plans may require that patients obtain preauthorization before non-formulary drugs are covered.
Durable Medical Equipment
If you need any medical equipment, such as crutches, oxygen apparatus, wheelchairs, or even blood testing strips for diabetes, your health insurance plan will most likely cover the cost of these things up to a certain point. Generally, you will have to pay coinsurance for any durable medical equipment that you receive.
This type of plan has lower monthly premiums, but a high annual deductible. These plans are generally aimed at people who are healthy and do not go to the doctor often, and so do not expect to have to meet the high deductible.
In-Network Vs Out-of-Network
Your plan will have a network of healthcare providers, if you see any doctors that are not in your network, you might have to pay out of pocket.
If a healthcare provider is in-network, that means your health insurance plan will cover services provided by them. These are very important terms to know, because if you seek services from a healthcare professional who is considered out-of-network by your plan, you might have to pay for the service completely out-of-pocket.
This is the most that you will have to pay for medical services during a policy period, which is usually a calendar year. Your premiums and most other medical expenses paid out-of-pocket will count towards your limit, but you should be aware that some plans will not count co-payments, deductibles, or coinsurance, so it’s important to check your policy.
Premium
The amount that you will pay for health insurance every month. Your premium does not include any other expenses. If you do not pay your premium, you will lose your health insurance coverage.
Specialist
A healthcare professional that specializes in a certain condition or area of the body. Specialists include gastrologists, dermatologists, and podiatrists, for example. Seeing a specialist will cost more than seeing your primary care physician, so your co-pays and actual charges will be higher.
UCR (Usual, Customary, and Reasonable)
This is the amount charged for a medical service within a specific geographic area, based on what providers in the area usually charge for the same or similar medical service.
The best way to understand how health insurance works, and to find the right plan for you and your family’s specific needs, is by working with an agent who specializes in health insurance. 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.
Did you know that in the past 30 years, the average woman’s life expectancy has increased from 79 to 81? Now, that might seem like a small change, but it is a big step in the right direction. Women’s health has been improving thanks to all of the significant advancements in the past few decades, and the focus on improving women’s health doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. There is no better time than now to continue this trend by getting checked, and what better way to do this than with the help of EZ, and a great insurance plan?
Some Interesting Facts
The percentage of American adult women who smoke has decreased from 28% to 16% in the past 30 years.
In 1963, a shocking 34% of American women were smokers. It was not until 1964, when the first federal report outlined all of the harmful effects of smoking, that there was a push to change that. So now, with all of the knowledge available to women, not to mention all of the smoking cessation programs that are covered by health insurance, the percentage of women who smoke – and lung cancer rates – have dramatically decreased. The percentage of American adult women who smoke has decreased from 28% to 16% in the past 30 years.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and the scary thing is that women can experience a heart attack without the chest pressure we associate with cardiac events, which can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Fortunately, the signs of a cardiac event in women are now more well-known, so women have the knowledge they need to take charge of their health. Thanks to many federally-funded programs that have made women more aware of the risk factors for heart disease, the number of women who die from heart disease has decreased from 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 women.
Nowadays, over 90% of breast cancers found in the early stages can be successfully treated, and fortunately, breast cancer is now also being detected earlier. This means that the average death rate for the disease has gone down nearly 2% per year in the past 10 years. This good news might be due to the fact that women are taking more initiative to examine themselves and get checked immediately when they feel a lump, or feel that something isn’t right, and are also more likely to get annual screenings. In 1990, only half of all American women over 50 years old had had a mammogram within the past 2 years. Now, 73% of women over 50 years old have had a mammogram in the past 2 years. This has led to an estimated 10% drop in breast cancer deaths.
How You Can Continue This Trend
EZ will help you find an affordable plan with great coverage.
Women’s health has progressed more than anyone could imagine, and although all of the above is great news, there is still so much more work to do. The best way to continue the upward trend of women’s health is to stay on top of your own health by getting any screenings that you need, or participating in programs that will improve your health. An EZ agent can help you with this: we will devote our time and resources to making sure you have the best health insurance possible – insurance that is affordable and that still provides the coverage you need. Don’t let lack of insurance, or a subpar plan, stop you from getting the care you need!
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.
You’ve probably heard of Tuberculosis (or TB): you might have been vaccinated against it, if you have children, you might have had to get them vaccinated before sending them to school. And depending on your job, you might even get tested for it annually. But you’ve probably never had it, or even known anyone who has had it, since it is not that prevalent in the U.S. It is a pretty serious disease, though, so this World Tuberculosis Day (March 24), let’s take a deeper look at this disease, what causes it, and why it is so important to get vaccinated, or treated immediately if you do contract TB.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is highly infectious and can cause serious complications.
Tuberculosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 million people died from tuberculosis in 2020, making it the 13th leading cause of death globally. Currently, it is the second main cause of death by an infectious disease, after Covid-19. It is a curable and preventable disease, under the right conditions.
Causes & Risk Factors
Although tuberculosis is a bacterial infection, and not a virus, it is transmitted by airborne particles. The bacteria that causes TB, M. tuberculosis bacteria, is spread through droplets expelled by sneezing, coughing, laughing, etc.
In most cases, people who become infected with TB can no longer transmit the bacteria after receiving the appropriate treatment for at least 2 weeks. It is important to note that people with well-functioning immune systems might experience what is known as latent TB, meaning they do not experience symptoms even though they have contracted the disease.
On the other hand, people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop active tuberculosis. Risk factors that can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to tuberculosis, include:
Using tobacco products or alcohol for long periods
HIV or any other immune system compromising disease
Malnutrition
Substance abuse disorders
Medications that suppress the immune system
Travel to regions with high tuberculosis rates, including India, Mexico, China, parts of Russia, some Southeast Asian islands, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Diagnosis
Tuberculosis can be identified by a few different tests, including a skin test, a blood test, or both. If you experience symptoms or know that you have come in contact with someone who has tuberculosis even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it is important to go get tested right away. A healthcare professional will ask about any symptoms, as well your medical history, and will listen to your lungs, check for swelling in your lymph nodes, and then conduct a skin test and/or blood test.
For the skin test, your doctor will inject a small amount of protein under the top layer of your skin; after two to three days, they will check for a welt on your skin at the injection site, which indicates a positive result. If you have a health condition that could affect your response to the skin test, your doctor might recommend that you first get a blood test.
How TB is Treated
If your tuberculosis test comes back positive, you will be prescribed antibiotics, which you will need to take once a week for 12 weeks. But if you are suffering from active TB, you might have to take drugs for 6 to 9 months. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if the symptoms go away, because if you stop taking the medication too soon, the bacteria can survive and become resistant to antibiotics.
Prevention
The best way to prevent TB is to get vaccinated if it is deemed necessary – for example, if you are traveling somewhere with a high volume of cases. If you do come in contact with someone with TB, it is important to get tested immediately, so you can begin treatment, and so you know if you need to stay away from other people until there is no longer a risk.
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease, and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and appropriately, but in most cases, it is treatable, especially when detected early. Treatment and vaccines for TB and other infectious diseases can be expensive, especially if you don’t have health insurance, or if you don’t have a comprehensive plan. If you’re in this situation, 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.
Did you know that more than 7 in 100,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year and that 3 in 100,000 people will die from it? On this World Cancer Day, we’d like to take a look at this type of cancer and give you some information on how to help detect it. After all, stomach cancer is often overlooked as just a stomach ache, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis, and early detection is key. While stomachaches can usually be written off as a virus or just something you ate, if you’re experiencing symptoms that are unusual for you, like bloating or heartburn, it’s important to get checked, because these are some of the early signs of stomach cancer. So when should you talk to your doctor?
What Is Stomach Cancer?
Also called gastric cancer, stomach cancer develops when healthy cells are replaced by growing cancer cells within the stomach lining. Before this happens, pre-cancerous cells begin to change in the inner lining of the stomach, or mucosa, and eventually, as more and more cancerous cells grow, they will form into a tumor. This process usually takes a long time: stomach cancer can even take years to develop and grow. Depending on where cancer starts in the stomach, it can cause different symptoms, and require different types of treatments.
The Different Types of Stomach Cancer
The most common type of stomach cancer begins in the innermost lining of the stomach.
There are many kinds of stomach cancers because there are so many layers of the stomach:
Adenocarcinoma- This is the most common type of stomach cancer, in which cancer begins and grows in the innermost lining of the stomach.
Lymphoma– This cancer starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes and develops from cells in your immune system.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor– This is a kind of soft tissue sarcoma that can grow in the stomach wall.
Neuroendocrine cancer– This is a rare, slow-growing tumor that grows from the neuroendocrine cells of the stomach.
Risk Factors
The most common cause of stomach cancer is a common bacteria that causes stomach infections and ulcers: H. pylori bacteria; tumors, stomach polyps, or acid reflux can also be the culprit. In addition, there are other factors that can increase your risk of developing stomach cancer, including:
Being male
Being older
Being overweight
Smoking
Having Type A blood
Previous stomach surgery
Family history
A diet high in smoked foods, salted fish, or cured meats
The Warning Signs
Stomach cancer can grow unnoticed for many years, because there are often no warning signs in the early stages – but there are some early symptoms to be on the lookout for. Unfortunately, these are often things that can seem fairly normal, so early detection can be tricky. With that being said, if you experience any of the following on a regular basis, get checked!
The best way to detect stomach cancer early is to talk to your doctor if you feel like something is wrong. You know your body better than anyone, so trust your gut!
Stomach Cancer Prevention & Treatment
A healthier lifestyle is the best way to help prevent stomach cancer: a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help decrease your risk. And if you are diagnosed with stomach cancer, don’t worry, there are several treatment options to help you beat it, including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.
Stomach cancer can be fatal if you don’t detect it early and treat it in time. But if found, it can be treated, so stay on top of your health and speak to your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Anything related to cancer can be scary and expensive, especially if you don’t have adequate health insurance to cover the tests required for diagnosis and the subsequent treatments you’ll have to undergo. If you need a better plan, come to EZ: we’ll compare plans in your area at no cost to you, and find a plan that offers you the coverage you need at an affordable price. Our agent will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision on your health insurance plan. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.
