Introducing: An Arm and a Leg “Starter Packs”
Mini-compilations of our most frequent topics
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When you tell people you work on a show about the cost of health care, you find out everyone has a story.
That’s what Dan said when he published his first episode of An Arm and a Leg, and it’s so true.
Since then, in the (nearly) seven years that Dan and the team have been putting out the show, we’ve managed to tell a tiny fraction of them. But a tiny fraction amounts to a LOT of stories — told across almost 150 episodes and dozens of these newsletters.
Over time, we’ve built up the contents of what could be a good beginner reference book on a handful of topics that come up again and again — like insurance denials and outrageous drug prices.
And we figure we could make it a lot easier to find answers to questions about those topics for anyone coming to us with a specific problem or interest, since 150 podcast episodes are a lot to dig through.
So here’s our first effort to assemble our best reporting on some of those topics into what we’ve dubbed “Starter Packs.”
Check them out, share them with someone who they might help, and tell us what you think.
Our five new “Starter Packs”
How do I shop for health insurance?
Compare plans, understand insurance lingo, and spot deals that are too good to be true. Bookmark this for open enrollment.
Help! I’m stuck with a gigantic medical bill
Strategies for fact-checking your bills, negotiating them down, and success stories to keep you motivated.
Help! Insurance denied my claim
The majority of folks who appeal an insurance denial win. We’ve got plenty of tips from people who’ve nailed it — and lots of encouragement.
Can I get my meds for less?
Our recent series about dealing with the high price of prescription drugs — chock-full of winning strategies, workarounds, and even a jingle to remember them by.
How to wipe out your medical bill with charity care
Find out if and where you qualify for free or discounted care —there’s a good chance you do at your local hospital — and how to get help applying.
We want you to plug in
What do you think of these Starter Packs? And what do you want to see next?
And hopefully, as we keep building this arsenal of knowledge, it will be those outrageous bills that “get packing.” (Haha?)
Your ever-aspiring punslinger,
— Claire
How about something dealing with pharmacy benefit manager stepping or tiering of medications - how to get a formulary exclusion, or get back on a med you’ve been taking that’s they suddenly put at a high tier. ExpressScripts just did this to me for 2 brands I’ve been taking for years.
How about the use of the Federally Qualified Health Center infrastructure existing throughout the USA and the ability to pass on 340B (Federal Drug Discount Program) savings to patients. Anyone can be a patient of an FQHC. I was as well as director of pharmacy. I was recently at the National Infusion Care Association (NICA) and a speaker said that 60% of patient seen in ambulatory care infusion clinics do not have a primary care provider. That's where an FQHC comes in since they provide primary care on a sliding fee basis (federal poverty level). I've been in the safety net space for over 30 years and people don't know about this option for them or family members. steve.zielinski@340bhealthcare.com 312-502-2692