Arm yourself with an important piece of information for a medical service — the CPT code. CPT stands for Current Procedural Terminology, which is used universally across all medical and health providers. With this code, you can contact multiple providers in order to better compare costs BEFORE you have any service done. Take control. It’s your money. It’s your health … Read More
Doctors shun patients who pay with Medicaid
Most doctors in private practice lose money on Medicaid patients, because the program pays less than commercial health plans or Medicare, the federal insurance program for Americans over 65. Many physicians already don’t accept Medicaid, and millions of new enrollees clamoring for appointments will strain those who do. About 46 percent of physicians accept Medicaid, according to a 15-city survey last … Read More
Health law sign-ups on track to hit 7 million
WASHINGTON (AP) — Beating expectations, President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul was on track to sign up more than 7 million Americans for health insurance on deadline day Monday, government officials told The Associated Press. The 7 million target, thought to be out of reach by most experts, was in sight on a day that saw surging consumer interest as … Read More
An “uncovered” hidden Obamacare cost
November 30 has come and gone, meaning HealthCare.gov, the $630 million portal created by the Affordable Care Act that links all 36 federal online insurance marketplaces, should be running smoothly for the majority of users. However, that does not mean the marketplaces are easy to use, especially for individuals trying to compare how different policies cover drug costs. Costs can differ … Read More
Companies prepare to pass more health costs to workers
Companies are bracing for an influx of participants in their insurance plans due to the health-care overhaul, adding to pressure to shift more of the cost of coverage to employees. Many employers are betting that the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all Americans have health insurance starting in 2014 will bring more people into their plans who have previously opted … Read More
Who gets a subsidy under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?
The new availability of tax credits for qualified low-income people purchasing individual coverage through exchanges could be a game changer. Qualified individuals with family incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will be eligible for sliding-scale premium tax credits that will cap the amount they may pay for coverage. Individuals with family incomes at or below … Read More
Sharing a journalist’s experience with the federal government health care website
A reporter documents their experience with researching health insurance options. The success achieved in getting the information was not through the website, but by utilizing a toll free number in order to speak to a representative. For those who are having difficulties with the online application process, the telephone may be your next best option. While the digital age has … Read More
What is global billing?
There are many confusing terms surrounding healthcare, healthcare services and health insurance coverage. Numerous different options can often put someone’s head in a spin as they try to grasp with bills and statements from medical provider offices, hospitals and medical centers. One term that Capitol Imaging Services often uses and can be considered to be a major financial benefit to … Read More
Have a High Deductible Health Insurance plan?
According to the website, www.valuepenguin.com, “high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) were created for consumers to have a health insurance option with lower premiums and high deductibles. These plans can be linked to health savings accounts (HSAs) to pay for qualified medical expenses in a tax-advantaged way.” As we have made our way through the first two decades of the 21st century, … Read More
Planning and paying for a diagnostic procedure
Millions of diagnostic exams are performed in the United States each year. However, planning and paying for these often-essential procedures can be confusing and sometimes much more expensive than they need to be. If diagnostic exams were like most consumer products, you could simply compare imaging scan prices online, come up with the funds, and make your purchase. Unfortunately, almost nothing … Read More
Report cites “out of pocket” health spending is soaring
According to a research report published, U.S. health care spending increased to $3.3 trillion in 2016, with out-of-pocket health care costs borne directly by consumers rising 3.9 percent – the fastest rate of growth since 2007. Published by the non-profit organization, Health Affairs, health expenditures swallowed a greater part of the economy, with health expenditures making up 17.9 percent share … Read More
Health insurance terms explained
Capitol Imaging Services shares a very informative article that “simply” explains terms we hear or come across in regards to our health insurance. Insurance can be confusing and sometimes frustrating thing to understand, and often people throw up their hands in frustration. Use this article to become a bit better informed. Capitol Imaging Services associates are experienced, knowledgeable professionals who … Read More
Pipe up to your doctor, pick up the phone and shop around
That’s not advice coming from Capitol Imaging Services. Of course, we fully endorse it and have recommended these courses of action for years. People must stop being passive patients and become engaged as a active consumer. This advice comes from a myriad of sources, from reporters who cover investigative stories on healthcare prices to national organizations who recommend ways for … Read More
Sky high deductibles broke the US health insurance system
The above is a headline on a recent news feature published by Bloomberg, a major publisher in the business and financial market sectors. According to the feature’s authors, 39 percent of large employers offer only high-deductible plans, up from 7 percent in 2009, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. Half of all workers now have … Read More
Four money saving questions to ask every medical service provider
If you want information about saving money DIRECTLY from a person who works in the health care field, this presentation is for you! It really isn’t that difficult. There are a few key words she gives to guide you to where you want to be. Step 1: Find out what type of test you are ordered to have. In this … Read More
What can you do to be prepared for your imaging exam?
Screening and diagnostic testing has become a very important component in health care, thanks to the advances in technology and how test results often dictate a diagnosis or treatment of various conditions and diseases. Testing can cause confusion and anxiety in a number of people. Much of the time, it is because of the “fear of the unknown.” The better … Read More
Average submitted charge for ultrasound? Compare here…
As part of overall health care reform, there is more information being published for public consumption that identifies charges by hospitals across the country for various services, both inpatient and outpatient. Unfortunately, often times this information is convoluted, difficult to find and even more difficult to understand. That’s where we come in. Below is information reported by the Centers for Medicare & … Read More
The fee for not having health insurance “soars” in 2015
Diagnostic Imaging Services shares a news report on the significant increase in the penalty that will be levied on those people who do not have health insurance. According to the report, the maximum penalty per family in 2014 looks like a bargain now at $285, a hike of nearly 250%. The fee will continue to get stiffer in 2015 when it … Read More