Surgery and a week-long hospital stay can equal a bill of tens of thousands of dollars. Even with insurance you can still end up paying several thousand in out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies typically negotiate with hospitals for lower bills – but most people don’t realize they can do that too.

Tips for Negotiating Health Care Bills

The first and most important step is simply asking. According to a survey from the Consumer Reports National Research Center, only 31% of Americans have tried to negotiate medical bills – but of those who did try, 93% were successful, and a full third saved over $100. When you apply this to the massive expense of a hospital stay, it could mean a very significant saving.

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If you’re a woman and you have health insurance or are contemplating getting health insurance, here’s an important question to think about. When you think of the term “pre-existing” condition, what comes to mind?

These days it’s probably diseases like diabetes, as well as health problems such as high cholesterol, excess weight, and the like. Serious health problems, diseases that can seriously impact on your quality of life, can require expensive or ongoing treatment — right? Yes…but that’s not all. And you might be shocked to find out what, for women, constitutes a pre-existing condition.

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photo credit: johnsto

Many of us worry about what’s in the water we drink. Sometimes it’s for good reason. Recently, tests from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) confirmed that Wal-Mart’s branded Sam’s Choice water contains unlawful amounts of dangerous chlorine. Yet Americans continue to drink bottled water, consuming twice as much last year than we did in 1997 and spending about $10.3 billion.

Scientists at the EWG say we’ll probably be fine so long as we’re hydrated, especially if we’re drinking from our taps. But who worries as much about the water we swim in? According to some recent news reports there’s definitely cause to worry, due to an outbreak of a potentially deadly bacteria.

In Dallas County, a recent outbreak of Cryptosporidium has prompted county officials to recommend that people with suppressed immune systems avoid swimming in public pools and water parks. With 41 cases of cryptosporidiosis – and one suspected death – in Dallas County since June, the number of cases far exceeds the norm. According to official records, eight to ten cases cryptosporidiosis per month is normal during the summer. The problem isn’t only limited to Dallas County, either, and several other neighboring counties have reported similar issues with contaminated water and increased incidence of Cryptosporidium infections.

Does Swimming in Infected Water Put Me at Risk?

Simply swimming in infected water is enough to contract the disease. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting abdominal cramping, and dehydration, and can last for up to two weeks. Those most vulnerable to the disease are young children, pregnant women, and people with reduced immune function.

Several cities in Dallas County have taken to adding excess chlorine to swimming pool water to ensure that no bacteria can grow. But given that this could end up causing its own set of problems, such as eye irritation and hair damage, it’s probably best to avoid swimming in public pools if you’re one of those people who are vulnerable to infection.

Some Tips for Swimmers

Practicing good hygiene will help limit the spread of infection – wash hands with soap and hot water before handling food, after using the toilet, and after changing diapers.

In addition, healthcare professionals recommend that if you’ve had diarrhea in the past two weeks, you avoid swimming in public pools. Be responsible – don’t take the chance that you might pass this highly unpleasant infection on to someone else.

With all the controversy over statin drugs recently, you might be on the search for a healthy, over-the-counter alternative. A few recent studies have found a common chinese supplement could help dramatically reduce cholesterol.

The Merits of Red Yeast Rice

A Chinese supplement, red yeast rice, is a natural remedy for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attacks. Studies have showed that 5,000 Chinese heart attack patients who were taking red yeast rice pills cut their risk of getting another heart attack by nearly 50%. They also reduced their chances of needing heart procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty. Chances of dying from cancer were also reduced by two-thirds.

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It’s 2:00 pm, and Julie Raines (not her real name) is looking forward to meeting with hospice staff. But today she isn’t seeing a doctor, nurse, or social worker. Today, she’s working with an art therapist. Julie has a rare neurological disorder. Before she started doing art, she was hostile towards her treatment team. Now she is able to express her anger—and recently, some positive emotions as well—on paper. Her team notes that she has become more accepting of her disease process and more able to express her needs to the care team.

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With the rising costs of gasoline and other consumer market products these days, individuals are searching for ways to save money all around. One such instance where saving money is a key factor is in the case of health care costs. Health care products and services can cost quite a bit of money for many individuals, whether they need such care only occasionally or on a constant basis. The good news is that there are ways to save money on health care costs and keep some money in your pocket for other necessities.

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Remember the stories your grandparents told you about walking ten miles in the snow both ways? Eventually you learned to be skeptical. We’ve dug up some mythical old wives’ health stories ourselves, and put them under scrutiny. Truth is, a lot don’t hold water. Here are a few medical myths that we found to be as dusty as Pop’s old wing-tip loafers. It’s time put these relics on the shelf where they belong.

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