Get smarter everyday

The best content to help you understand the complex U.S. healthcare system.

Insights

How To Pick The Best Health Insurance For You? 5 Factors To Consider

The most comprehensive guide to determine the best health insurance plan, 5 factors to consider: the type of coverage, eligibility, monthly cost, type of plans, and enrollment period. In 2019, annual premiums were $7,188 for single coverage and $20,576 for family coverage. Data on monthly premiums of health insurance in all 50 states and overviews of Medicare, Medicaid, employer-sponsored insurance, individual exchange, supplement plans, and health share plans. Choosing a health insurance plan can be complex but here's what you need to know.

Khang T. Vuong27 Oct 2020
Tips

How to tell if you have sun poisoning and what helps treat sun poisoning? Advice from a dermatologist

As we sit out in the sun and enjoy the summer, we should be cautious and attentive to our sun exposure. Sun poisoning is a severe case of sunburn caused by exposure and lack of protection from the sun. You can tell if you have sun poisoning by the symptoms you develop, such as tingling and pain on your skin, redness, and blistering. Sun poisoning is typically self-treating unless you develop a more severe condition such as skin-cancer.

Alyssa Orcuilo12 Aug 2020
Public Health

Coronavirus COVID-19 Testing Locations in New York City

This article includes a comprehensive list of Coronavirus COVID-19 testing sites in NYC, including clinics, drive-thru, hospitals, emergency, rooms, urgent care, and more. It is recommended that all New Yorkers get tested for COVID-19.

Khang T. Vuong26 Oct 2020
Public Health

COVID-19 Antibody Test Explained - Positive vs. Negative results

COVID-19 antibody tests are used to check if an individual has been previously infected with the coronavirus. A positive test could indicate the person has been exposed to the virus and a negative test may indicate the person does not have antibodies for the virus. The antibody test may not be the best choice for everyone and whether or not the test is accurate, may depend on antibody sensitivity. The test is also available at Mira as well as other urgent care centers.

Khang T. Vuong24 Oct 2020
Insights

Health insurance premiums to increase in 2021, 4 things to know

13 health insurance plans in the state of NY proposed premium increases of at least 11%. The average Bronze plan costs $550 in NYC, this could increase to $660 or $770 in 2021. Proposed raise for 2021: Oscar 19.10%, Fidelis (New York Quality Healthcare Corp) 18.80%, HealthPlus HP, LLC (Formerly Empire)* 16.60%, UnitedHealthcare of New York In 13.80%, MetroPlus 9.60%, Emblem (HIP) 9.50%, MVP Health Plan 6.70%, CDPHP 4.30%, Healthfirst PHSP, Inc. 2.40%, Healthfirst Insurance Company, Inc. 1.80%, Excellus 1.50%, Healthnow New York -1.90%, IHBC -3.70%.

Khang T. Vuong08 Oct 2020
Public Health

How much does Coronavirus COVID-19 testing cost? With or without insurance

Is COVID testing free? How much does the COVID-19 test cost without insurance? The average cost of COVID-19 testing is $352 at an urgent care center and $2321 in the emergency room. Rapid test cost varies depending on the type of test and where you get it, ranging from $100 to $300 at an urgent care facility. In this article, we analyzed data from multiple studies based on data from 2.5 billion de-identified medical claims for primary care, urgent care, emergency room, lab tests, and x-ray in Boston, MA Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH, Dallas, TX Houston, TX Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New York, NY Salt Lake City, UT San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Washington, D.C.

Khang T. Vuong30 Oct 2020
Tips

How to dispute a medical bill? Steps on how to win

8 tips to help you dispute medical, hospital, or ER bill. More than half of Americans have received a surprise medical bill. And while there are various factors that are in play, you may be able to fight or dispute them. Among surprise charges, the top categories are physical services (53%), lab tests (51%), hospital facility charge (43%), imaging (35%), and prescription drugs (29%).

Khang T. Vuong12 Aug 2020
Tips

Is my employer required to provide health insurance in 2020?

Employee health insurance is an essential area to consider when considering a position. You may question whether your employer is required to provide a health insurance plan or not- but it actually depends on various factors. U.S. employers with 50 or more full-time employees are required to offer these full-time workers compliant health insurance coverage. These employers must also provide proof of that offer of coverage to the IRS with year-end forms 1095-C and 1094-C.

Alyssa Orcuilo12 Aug 2020
Tips

Where & how to get tested for STDs without insurance?

You can get tested for basic and full pannel STDs in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Los Angeles with Mira ($50 or less), Urgent Care Clinic - CityMD ($350), Planned Parenthood ($130-$270), or NYC Sexual Health Clinic. Tests include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes I and II, hepatitis B and C, and HIV (strains I and II).

Alyssa Orcuilo29 Jul 2020
Public Health

When will the stay-at-home order end?

A guide to up-to-date guidelines for stay-at-home orders by state. Understand what you are allowed to do under safer-at-home, stay-at-home, and shelter-in-place orders. See what reopening will look like by state. New York City, Los Angeles.

Khang T. Vuong29 May 2020
Tips

How long can I stay on my parent's health insurance?

Health insurance is extremely important to have. And up until you're 26, you are most likely covered under your parent's insurance plan. But what about when you turn 26? What's next?

Alyssa Orcuilo15 Jun 2020
Public Health

When will gyms, restaurants, and hair salons reopen? Timeline in 50 states

Update July 1st 2020: Reopening dates and guidelines for restaurants, hair salons, gyms, and other small businesses post Coronavirus in 50 states according to research from the University of Washington. New York City NY, Los Angeles CA, Chicago IL, Houston TX, New Jersey, Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia PA, Florida, Maryland.

Khang T. Vuong02 Jul 2020
PrevNext