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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Canadian seeking health insurance for US medical coverage in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 10 months ago
Only emergency care for Canadians is covered – and all bills have to be sent to the specific province where they have insurance (no payment up front). For routine or non-emergent care, Canada is unlikely to pay. Cash negotiation is the route, as AnnMarie points out.There are Canadian travel and auto insurance policies that have some medical…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Medicare Advantage plans in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 1 year ago
“God’s waiting room” — love it, Trisha! Wanted to let folks know I’m now a SHIP counselor for WA State, the program here is called SHIBA. It’s a natural evolution to do this kind of volunteer work after my career in patient advocacy. Lots of training in Medicare nuances (there’s always more to learn) and a great experience so far. I encourage oth…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Medical Billing – CPT codes ?? in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 1 year ago
Completely agree: the underworld of medical billing is best handled by experts. An excellent primer about HIPAA nuances (it’s NOT spelled HIPPA): Patient Advocates and HIPAA. Hope all is resolved efficiently and good luck.
Karen Vogel -
Kazadvocate started the topic Charity Care eligibility guidelines shift in WA State in the forum SIG – Medical Billing & Claims Forum 1 year ago
Half of WA residents eligible for free or discounted hospital care
This could be a BIG game changer, potentially with nationwide impact.Karen Vogel
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Kazadvocate started the topic Health insurer ordered to stop selling in WA in the forum SIG – Medical Billing & Claims Forum 1 year ago
Health insurer ordered to stop selling in WA
Yet another shady “insurance” program designed to confuse benefit advisors and employer groups. Fortunately WA State has a strong consumer protection mission. Just think of what ISN’T caught that flies under the radar.Karen Vogel
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Anyone working with insurance agencies? in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 1 year ago
Thanks Linda, for educating the group about HICAP. There are also State advisory programs via SHIP (or in WA State, SHIBA) run through Insurance Departments, focused on Medicare enrollment and nuances. Totally free and impartial assistance to consumers. These programs are staffed by trained volunteers, including retired healthcare providers.…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Advocacy through Authorship: Quirky Neighbors in the forum General Conversation 1 year ago
Thanks AnnMarie! And yes, there’s a chapter about my word site — plus you’ll enjoy the cover!
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Kazadvocate started the topic Advocacy through Authorship: Quirky Neighbors in the forum General Conversation 1 year ago
What does a semi-retired advocate do during a pandemic? Write a book of course!
Experiences with neighbors, especially quirky ones, shape how we build our communities. Following her first book, Sid’s Story: A Father-Daughter Journey, Karen Vogel describes another journey: getting to know her unusual neighbors. Watch out, you may be profiled! K…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Decoding insurance contracted rates on a Chargemaster? in the forum SIG – Medical Billing & Claims Forum 1 year ago
Hi all. TR is possibly a modifier code. Or it might mean Temporary Rate? Treatment Room? This article is a good overview of how chargemasters work. Hospital Chargemaster Basics
Take care!
Karen Vogel -
Kazadvocate replied to the topic Stem Cell Joint Pain Treatment – Insurance Coverage in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
I’m following this discussion as knee arthritis protocols and insurance coverage are sure to evolve. Personally I’ve had great results from Synvisc-One injections that last up to 6 months. Medicare covers it – commercial insurers typically do not. I suggest exploring medical tourism options to see if the stem cell approach (or joint rep…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate started the topic Advocating: A Lifelong Habit in the forum General Conversation 2 years ago
Retirement alert! I started my Kazadvocate business on New Year’s Day 6 years ago and officially closed it New Year’s Eve. Anyone who knows me will confirm I’m not going to be sedate – I’m just shifting gears. It’s been a fantastic chapter. I want to share some stats, especially for newer advocates who are wondering if this path makes sense. It d…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate started the topic Automated markups for healthcare billing in the forum SIG – Medical Billing & Claims Forum 2 years ago
Just because I appreciate this reporter’s ongoing efforts to expose the nefarious underbelly of billing practices. If you have trouble accessing the link, download the Los Angeles Times app on your cell phone and you can read up to 5 free articles.
Leaked SoCal hospital records reveal huge, automated markups for healthcare
Thanks,
Karen Vogel,…[Read more] -
Kazadvocate replied to the topic Startup Expenses-Taking a Poll in the forum General Conversation 2 years ago
When upfront money is tight it’s great to barter services. I helped a friend with an insurance snafu, as a professional webmaster she helped me design my website. I’ve shared office supplies with my neighbor as we both work from home. Many more examples probably out there … it takes a village!
Karen Vogel
Kazadvocate -
Kazadvocate replied to the topic Please share: Do you / How do you promote Open Enrollment? in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
Good discussion. Also consider shifting potential clients to a trusted local broker for “simple” open enrollment purposes. Brokers don’t charge as their commissions come from insurers. This may sound like giving away revenue, but it’s a business boomerang: people appreciate transparency and often come back later for other scenarios. It also bu…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate started the topic Medical Disclosure Legislation in CA – follow the $ in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
Excellent newspaper article today about the status of AB1278, requiring physicians to inform patients of any financial relationships with the makers of drugs and medical devices.
And a government resource advocates (and the general public) can use — Open Payments.After her botched surgery, she pitched a medical disclosure bill. Doctors are…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic PHI and HIPAA Release Forms in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
Quick note. I’ve noticed that more hospitals and insurers are now allowing privacy forms to be emailed which is faster and better tracking than snail mail or fax. You have to ask about this option as it’s not usually printed on the organization’s form. If they respond it may be encrypted with extra registration on your part, but outgoing email…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Multiple Patient Portals – Argh! in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
Raye, if the portals are EPIC driven you may be able to link them so that you can toggle between systems on one screen. Look for this function or contact IT support. Not all info will be there but it’s better than no connection at all.
Visit summaries can be printed at the time of service and given to the patient, although more detailed notes t…[Read more] -
Kazadvocate replied to the topic Directory Contacts from David Nachum in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 2 years ago
Similar scenario. I responded to the initial email and asked David to send some preferred slots for a short chat. My standard reply to anyone who contacts me is that I will call their number. He didn’t offer a phone number, instead he set up an appointment to call my number. He never called. I sent an email saying “something must have come up.”…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate replied to the topic Employer-sponsored advocacy programs in the forum +ADL Forum: Directory Listed APHA Members Only 3 years ago
I managed a business/client relationship with BestDoctors when I was part of the insurance empire. They’re owned by Teladoc. These types of vendor services are positioned as employee perks, and are designed to manage corporate and employer healthcare expenses. I’m not saying this kind of service is not useful – it can be beneficial to point people…[Read more]
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Kazadvocate started the topic Jan 27 CDC COVID vaccine meeting – advocacy input in the forum General Conversation 3 years ago
The CDC is taking public comments at a meeting on COVID vaccine eligibility on January 27th. You, or your clients, can submit input if you feel that criteria need to be adjusted. As one important example, cancer patients under age 65 in active treatment, despite being immunocompromised, don’t currently qualify in many States, they are in Tier 1c.…[Read more]
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