I'm thinking about switching my health insurance to a high-deductible health plan, but I need to get a handle on what all my allergy prescriptions will cost me. I think that I will be able to build up some stockpiles during this year, but I want to know how much I will actually be out of pocket when it comes time to pay for them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2009 - 9 answers

What exactly can a doctor's office tell anyone who happens to pick up your phone? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

How much would it cost the average person to get a health care policy that's as good as Medicaid? [more inside]
posted by aquafortis on Oct 16, 2009 - 7 answers

Many workplaces ban social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and so on. What are some of the reasons workplaces should allow (and even encourage) staff to use social networking sites? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Oct 14, 2009 - 20 answers

With regards to psychotherapy, a common opinion I've noticed on MetaFilter is that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is perceived as being the most efficient way to go, in addition to being one of the very few therapies likely to be reimbursed by health insurance. However, this may be coming from a largely American perspective. As such, I'm curious: What are some major features of psychotherapy in countries other than the United States? [more inside]
posted by Keter on Oct 14, 2009 - 17 answers

Do the U.S. military bases in foreign countries, esp. Western Europe and Japan, help those countries keep their military budgets low so that they can afford things like, I dunno, universal health care? [more inside]
posted by nax on Sep 21, 2009 - 52 answers

Is health care a Ponzi scheme? I'm trying to work out my feelings about the health care debate, and our moral obligations to take care of each other. Will improved health care just lead to larger populations and longer life spans, and more and more expenses to take care of them all? Am I a bad person for thinking this? I smoke, so I'll probably check out early without consuming all your future resources on my elder care. Does this mitigate my xenocidal tendencies or make them worse?
posted by Area Control on Sep 13, 2009 - 25 answers

Since being fired last month, I'm in the process of getting health insurance for my family. But, I'm kind of confused with this COBRA '65/35 for nine months' deal with the government. I'm awaiting to hear from our local Blue Cross provider for a 9/15 effective date, but, our calculations show that the COBRA discounted price for nine months would be roughly $150 less than the Blue Cross premium. Now, it is my understanding that you have to elect COBRA AND send in your request for the 65/35 subsidy at the same time. If I don't get the subsidy, I want to go with Blue Cross. How do I do this properly? Is there any way I can apply for the subsidy without requesting COBRA at the same time?
posted by littleredwagon on Sep 11, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm going to be living in France and then Germany for two months (or maybe longer) and I'm not sure what to do about my health insurance. [more inside]
posted by minicloud on Sep 10, 2009 - 6 answers

I want to learn about American healthcare, where do I start? [more inside]
posted by nostrich on Sep 4, 2009 - 21 answers

I would like to find a copy of the proposed healthcare reform bill with some non-partisan translation of some of the legal-ese. Does this exist? I am looking for the whole bill, if possible.
posted by Foam Pants on Aug 27, 2009 - 1 answer

[HIPAA filter]: When dropping off our child at daycare (a small, home daycare), my spouse - a pediatrician - ran into a patient who is not vaccinated. I know you're not a lawyer; I know you're not our lawyer - what are our options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 27, 2009 - 22 answers

Asking on behalf of G.F.: Is there a good book about Healthcare & Native Americans in the United States? [more inside]
posted by justkevin on Aug 23, 2009 - 5 answers

How many health care facilities, excluding hospitals, are there in the U.S. that use at least one medical imaging modality (Xray, Ultrasound, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by blueplasticfish on Aug 19, 2009 - 0 answers

I've been reading a lot of conflicting information about the U.S. health care reform bill (HR 3200) and its potential impact on different groups of Americans. I tried to read the bill, but it's over a thousand pages and is written in mind-numbing legalese. Is there a place online where I can find comprehensive, non-partisan, easily understandable information about the bill?
posted by zembla3 on Aug 18, 2009 - 12 answers

What can I do, while overseas, to help educate about/support/do something about the healthcare debate happening in the US? [more inside]
posted by kalimac on Aug 12, 2009 - 8 answers

What should someone know before going to a town hall meeting on health care reform? [more inside]
posted by every_one_needs_a_hug_sometimes on Aug 12, 2009 - 9 answers

There is much talk about health care rationing in Britain, for example. How do I find out more about the status of rationing in the United States, my health care (nice employer based) and Medicare in particular. Is it the case that with health care in the US, private or Medicare, cost is never a reason to deny a procedure? That people under Medicare, for example, get all of those 50,000$ drugs that give you 6 months of life? How can I find out if my plan covers every possible procedure or not? I'm less concerned with the issue of rescision as a roundabout way of denying care versus explicit denial of care based on cost.
posted by Wood on Aug 7, 2009 - 16 answers

Health Mystery Solved. I have been given a diagnosis of avascular necrosis. My general practitioner relayed these results to me after she saw my MRI results. On Friday I meet with an orthopedic surgeon. Please help me prepare. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 5, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm an American without health insurance, who needs (minor) dermatological care... how worried should I be that this will prevent me from getting private health care insurance in a year or so (denial due to prior condition)? And what can I do to prevent this from happening? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 20, 2009 - 15 answers

How does getting a medical referral/requesting a medical referral REALLY work and how do you ask for one effectively? [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Jul 19, 2009 - 4 answers

For reasons I don't (yet) fully understand, Care Credit has refused to extend me any credit whatsoever towards a year-long set of (embarrassing) medical procedures that will end up totalling in the neighborhood of $30,000 US. What viable alternatives to Care Credit exist for financing expensive and drawn-out medical procedures? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 15, 2009 - 9 answers

How can I show support for the new health care reform bill? [more inside]
posted by odayoday on Jul 15, 2009 - 9 answers

My taxes should pay for health care for all Americans, but they don't. I can donate $1,000 right now; what organization will use that money most effectively to provide care for uninsured/underinsured people in the United States? [more inside]
posted by haltingproblemsolved on Jul 12, 2009 - 23 answers

Thoughtful, analytical, objective resources (web and book) on what works and what doesn't in healthcare / health insurance systems around the world? [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis on Jul 10, 2009 - 10 answers

Looking for social media sites or services in healthcare directed toward healthcare providers. [more inside]
posted by Mister_A on Jul 9, 2009 - 2 answers

What should a recent (unemployed) college graduate do to get health insurance in Indiana? ` [more inside]
posted by leybman on Jul 1, 2009 - 17 answers

Do people actually lose their homes to pay for health care in the US, or is this an urban myth? [more inside]
posted by WinnipegDragon on Jun 24, 2009 - 39 answers

Boiled down to its essence, what is the job of a renal social worker? [more inside]
posted by Quizicalcoatl on Jun 21, 2009 - 4 answers

My baby girl, 7 months old, has a spiral fractured femur - mum caught her as she was falling while getting into a back carrier - she is in hospital, has had specialist orthopaedic paediatrician attention and is now in traction. She is probably at the the best hospital in the country for this, but it is a long way from home. She is 100% breast fed, and my wife is staying with her. Can any of the medicos or Mefi, or people who have had similar experience offer some advice? [more inside]
posted by five fresh fish on Jun 13, 2009 - 12 answers

I am about to become a first year medical student (YAY!). I am trying to figure out how to get involved in projects dealing with healthcare and IT. Are there any good online resources to finding this type of information? Or should I just start randomly emailing companies? [more inside]
posted by senseigmg on Jun 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Please help me find medical coverage/insurance for a five year old. [more inside]
posted by snsranch on Jun 6, 2009 - 7 answers

Health insurance question: my insurance benefit ran out for a recurring doctor's visit. The doctor knew this - I didn't - and they kept accepting my copay as if nothing had changed. How do I proceed? [more inside]
posted by JamesWilson123 on May 21, 2009 - 10 answers

I lost my job, got a new job, now I'm quiting that job, am I still eligible for COBRA from my previous job? And if I am, should I sign up for it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 20, 2009 - 2 answers

Is my health insurance a rip-off? [more inside]
posted by elder18 on May 20, 2009 - 35 answers

I Live in A Stupid, NonSocialized Imperialistic Country Filter: Please hope me find private health insurance. [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon on May 18, 2009 - 26 answers

I'm getting all four wisdom teeth out on May 29th. For the last month or so I have felt intense pressure in my mouth from the teeth coming in. It's been getting a little worse each week and is now causing headaches. It's only May 6th. How should I manage the pain? [more inside]
posted by prozach1576 on May 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Explain (in an easy to understand way) Budget Reconciliation in the Senate? And its impact on health care reform this year? [more inside]
posted by paulinsanjuan on Apr 30, 2009 - 8 answers

If you were the IT advisor to the Obama Administration, how would you implement the national medical informatics system that is proposed as part of the stimulus package? [more inside]
posted by Quietgal on Mar 31, 2009 - 13 answers

Is my company's new, highly Orwellian, wellness program legal? How can I get them to stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 25, 2009 - 16 answers

Individual health insurance and sti. What to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 22, 2009 - 5 answers

I may have breast cancer. I do not have health insurance. What now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 16, 2009 - 13 answers

A family member currently needs intravenous shots twice a day. Her insurance company won't pay for a nurse to come give her the shots. Are there other services that will do this? [more inside]
posted by dpx.mfx on Mar 12, 2009 - 8 answers

Please help me filter out the good from my list of NYC doctors covered by my insurance. [more inside]
posted by scazza on Mar 9, 2009 - 3 answers

I decided on my obgyn last minute, when the one I wanted wasnt taking new patients. My pap came back abnormal and I had to have a biopsy. They found I have moderate cervical dysplasia. I am scheduled to get a LEEP procedure. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 2, 2009 - 15 answers

What types of questions would you like to see answered about healthcare / health insurance? [more inside]
posted by jeff1010 on Mar 1, 2009 - 12 answers

Can anyone recommend a few good books/articles on the history and current state of health care in the United States and Canada? [more inside]
posted by Lemon of Byzantium on Mar 1, 2009 - 11 answers

How can a former English major make a transition into the healthcare field? [more inside]
posted by sureshot on Feb 22, 2009 - 7 answers

I will be returning briefly to the US after 6 months abroad and I would like to partake in some of that wonderful US healthcare before I head back abroad. I have a couple of questions. [more inside]
posted by andoatnp on Feb 18, 2009 - 13 answers

A question about using an Ontario health care card in Quebec. [more inside]
posted by jon_kill on Feb 8, 2009 - 8 answers