Just questioning because this is the insurance I am on, and i'm confused if its Medicaid or not. I really just got it because my older brother had it before getting a insured job.
Also asking since they are planning to cut medicaid and the person that made the proposal is coming for 29 year olds like myself that work part time and are in college.
Vertex recieved approval for Journav, the first new class of pain medicine approved in more than 20 years. With more than 80 million Americas suffering from moderate-to-severe acute pain each year, this drug could be the first step in addressing the opioid crisis.
Not a single pcp in my city that takes my inssurence is available for months. My work makes it bassicly impossible to make commitments more than 2 weeks out, unless I were to use a large portion of my precious leave.
I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I am not exaggerating whatsoever when i say none are available for months, I've scoured the internet for hours.
I need to establish care, I've got quite a few long term health issues I'd like to be looked at, and I've never had any labs or blood work done in my life because I've never had insurance. But it doesn't even seem possible. What do I do?
With the latest federal budget proposals, healthcare access in the U.S. is at a turning point. Proposed Medicaid cuts, funding shifts, and stricter eligibility rules could reshape the system in ways that affect millions. Here’s what’s happening and what it could mean.
How do you think these healthcare changes will affect you or your community? What should lawmakers be focusing on instead?
Will Medicaid be cut and what will be cut?
The budget resolution concerning Medicaid just went through. I work at a SAHMSA CCBHC organization. What should I expect?
I plan on making an appointment with an endocrinologist at a clinic but am uninsured. They accept self pay patients but I will have to pay upfront according to their policies. Am I paying before my appointment for the doctors exam only? What if the doctor orders extra tests for that day? Do I have to pay for those before leaving too?
$4.5 trillion in new deficits through tax cuts
$230 billion cut from food assistance programs (SNAP) which helps families purchase healthy food.
At least $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act - for reference 79 million Americans use Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This funding also supports thousands of hospitals and community health centers
Read more here: House GOP panel passes budget blueprint with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and steep spending reductions
Long post, I apologize. TL;DR at the bottom
I recently got back on health insurance after several years of never being seen anywhere but the ER. So I decided to start the process of getting some help with a few concerns I have.
I called my local FP and asked to set up an appointment, but it had been so long that I needed to make a "New Patient" appointment, and there was only one Dr taking new patients, so I set it up.
[Note: I manage a dispensary. This will be important later.]
Day of the appointment, I went in, filled out the paperwork, and sat down with the Dr. She asked me what I was there for, and I said my main two concerns are that I believe I have Sleep Apnea and I'd like to see about treatment for my ADHD. Here's how the conversation went from there:
Dr: exaggerated wink "You know, some weight loss would help with the snoring."
Me: ".....yes, but also I've had this issue since long before I was fat."
Dr: "Well, I'd like you to lose some weight anyway. I'll set you up with a sleep study, but you should definitely lose at least 10 lbs to help with your elevated blood pressure."
Me: ".....my bp was 133/88, I didn't think that was insanely high."
Dr: "And you say you think you have ADHD?"
Me: "No, I think I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 11 years old, I haven't been medicated for it in a little over a decade, and I still experience the symptoms, many of which greatly affect my daily life."
Dr: "Describe what you experience for symptoms."
Me: "I forget to do even obvious things like use the bathroom and eat. If I'm not looking directly at something I will forget it exists, which leads to me throwing a LOT of leftovers away, I can't focus on things that I'm not actively hyperfixated on, and I struggle with impulse control."
Dr: "So, do you use cannabis daily?"
So I got her to set up a sleep study for the Apnea, and she set up a psych eval for me to be re-tested for ADHD, but the whole time I felt like she had made snap judgements of me and it affected the care (or lack of care) that I received. She decided that I'm just a fat stoner who doesn't actually need the help that he's asking for, and as a result I now have to wait until mid-July to get the ADHD evaluation done, even though I was already diagnosed TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO.
TL;RR - Dr treated me like I was lying about my ADHD diagnosis from two decades ago, and fat shamed me over possible sleep apnea and a BP of 133/88.
I've lived in the Midwest and the east coast. I made appointments and changed doctors all the time without any issues. I recently moved to the west coast and can't seem to just make an appointment for a physical. They say I have to make an appointment to establish care before I can make any other appointments. I have a high deductible plan and typically only go to the doctor once a year for a physical which is covered at 100%. I don't want to pay to see a doctor just to meet them especially if I don't like them and 1 have to do it all over again if 1 want to switch. Anyone know how to avoid this in the future and just go for one appointment? I ended up flying back to the east coast to see my old doctor this time. I told them about this practice here on the west coast and he was shocked by it. To me, it's just a money grab. I've never had to make this type of appointment before and have never heard of it either. I'm in my 50's and work for a health insurance company and still have never heard of this practice.
I recently went to a sport medicine MD for some pain I was having in my hip and shoulder, and I asked her over an email whether acupuncture could be useful for this kind of pain management, since a lot of athletes seem to do it too. This was her response - It's these kind of non asnwers like these that lead people to have no choice but to rely on the internet and fall into psuedo-science traps.
How can a sports med doctor in 2025 (with a fair bit of experience) not have enough training to know whether acupuncture works or doesn't, at the very least based on the medical research that's out there?
I don't know why, but I felt compelled to share with the world how amazing my great aunt is. Unfortunately, my family is really just only learning about her amazing feats after entering hospice. She didn't talk about these things much and (I'm sure) never thought anything of sharing. Today, she is being double pinned after being an ICU nurse for 40 years. Not to mention taking care of a spouse who suffered a stroke and multiple brain tumors. My aunt took care of him until his passing. She served until she was 72, I guess. Only recently did she let her certification lapse at 86 (she'll likely be 87 at the time of passing).
I just really can't imagine being in the ICU for that long. Now, she'll get to finally rest after a long life of taking care of everyone else.
Long story short, my dad died in 2018 after a long struggle with substance use disorders. I was 20. His final care team was AMAZING and I think about them nearly every month. I really, really want to find the doctor who treated our whole family with such compassion and say a big "thank you". Obviously, its been some time... but I'm wondering if the hospital is allowed to tell me which doc it was? Is there a way for me to find out the doctor's name? Of course I wish I remembered or thought to write it down, but I was really in survival mode at that time.
Like an emergency rabies vaccine? Or an in-office procedure? What did you travel to get?
I know that HRT is OTC in Mexico & a lot cheaper.
Okay so to anyone following here's the recap. I had kidneystones, doctor ordered a stat CT. Pre-authorization was needed per insurance, the doctor's office submitted for one that day but didn't fill me in. Insurance claims it should have been an ultrasound first, doctor said CT is the standard of care.
On to the update.
I'm still gathering more letters for the final appeal through insurance. Doctor wrote a letter describing why it was ordered Stat and the patient relations coordinator is writing up a letter about the procedure for Stat CT's and pre-authorization within their system.
The doctors office also called me to say that if insurance denies this last claim, that the patient relations coordinator and the office manager agreed that the CT would be covered. I don't know if this would mean waiving the entire fee or if they would lower the price from 800. More likely the second one I would assume.
Honestly I was so thunderstruck in the moment that anyone in the medical field would go that far for me I forgot to ask.
I thanked them, and apologized for being annoying throughout the process. And they thanked me for never being cross with them.
So it's a semi update.
There are good medical professionals out there that really do try to fight the system.
If nothing else, this doctor will be my primary provider going forward.
I had hand surgery two days ago—the day before yesterday. I'm taking Tylenol and ibuprofen to mitigate the pain, but I'm a redhead and those don't exactly work to mitigate my pain. Kaiser in their wonderful wisdom has determined how much pain I'm in. Instead of listening to the patient they're listening to protocol and they won't prescribe pain meds. So, my friends are sneaking me pain medication. Instead of getting the care that I desperately need from my healthcare provider who wants me to quote-unquote Thrive, I'm left to my own devices. In my opinion, that's not the way to care for patients. I'm using voice-to-text to type this so if it's incorrect it's because AI doesn't know how to capitalize yet.
I’m wondering what my options are to get a refill on my medication if I run out before medical is approved. I assume if I go to my pharmacy I’ll be paying the full and uninsured price of my meds? I’m in California if that makes a difference.
My husband has been getting the absolute runaround with his medical team trying to get diagnosed with some specific kind of apnea and whatever correct machine they think he should have. It's been more than 6 months of this, with his apnea getting worse and sleep deprivation now impacting his work and life. I've left him to deal with this on his own, but now he should finally have all those checkboxes filled and getting a machine, but his doctor wants the records from an EKG test that the local hospital did. That hospital has not responded to multiple records requests, either by phone or email or their patent portal.
Today, since he's in progressively worse mental shape from sleep deprivation (and mild depression which is I'm sure related), I tried to call the hospital to get a status on his records request. They told me they'd only talk to him. But when he called, only a few minutes later they just directed him to submitting another request. He's already made several requests, all of which are apparently being ignored.
I do have a patient advocate with the hospital investigating for us. But is there anything else I can do to expedite this, short of him having to go in and get re-tested? And is it BS that they won't talk to the wife of the patient? I'm on all his paperwork as someone who can have access to his data and beneficiary.
I will be starting PA school in the fall and I’m just curious about the future of healthcare with this new presidency and with RFK as HHS. How will my future job as a PA be affected? And how will healthcare as a whole be affected? Would love to hear insight from actual healthcare workers!
Hey r/healthcare,
I’m researching how aged-care (or long-term care) facilities stay on top of staff training and compliance requirements—especially in smaller organizations.
I’ve heard stories of managers buried under spreadsheets and paper checklists, constantly worried about potential audits and fines.
If you work in aged care or a similar setting, I’d love your insights:
- How do you currently ensure new hires complete required training (e.g., infection control, elder abuse prevention)? - Have you run into issues with missing or outdated training records?
- Do you use any dedicated software tools, or is it more of a manual “spreadsheet + sticky notes” approach?
- Have regulatory audits become stricter in your area, or will that happen soon? I’m hoping to learn what’s truly frustrating and time-consuming about compliance and onboarding. There is no sales pitch here; I'm just curious to compare real-world experiences with the assumptions I’ve heard.
Thanks in advance for any advice, anecdotes, or lessons learned! I am based out of New Zealand, would greatly appreciate any insights from the region (NZ/AU)
Emergency medical technician here. At events such as concerts or baseball games, we are provided with Patient Care Reports and on the back is the Medical Release of Liability in case the patient refuses treatment or transport.
My question is, can a friend sign that release if the patient is altered such as ETOH (drunk) or if the patient just doesn’t want to sign? Can a family member sign it if the patient doesn’t want to? Is the Medical Release of Liability actually a legal document?
For anyone familiar with these, what are the keywords or situations they want to see to overrule a hospital discharge? Thanks in advance.
I’ve been fighting since January 7th to get an MRI that both Kaiser’s own ER doctor and my follow-up doctor said I need to check for a torn meniscus.
But Kaiser’s General Council Review Committee DENIED it because I have bone-on-bone arthritis. Their reasoning? Apparently, arthritis alone is enough to dismiss the need for further imaging—even though my doctors say I might have a torn meniscus.
So now, instead of getting proper treatment, I have to appeal to an outside board just to get a chance at the care I was originally recommended.
Meanwhile, I’ve already:
✔️ Had an injection (January 7)—zero relief.
✔️ Started physical therapy (Waited a month to start, 2 sessions in, still in pain).
✔️ Been told to lose weight (While Kaiser has failed to treat my hypothyroidism properly for 10 years, leading to almost 100 lbs of weight gain).
And to make it worse? The PT somehow determined I have "no soft tissue damage"—without an MRI, just an X-ray. 🤯
How is this even legal? Why does Kaiser get to override their own doctors and force patients through a never-ending battle just to get diagnostic care? If anyone has gone through a similar appeal process, I’d love to hear what to expect.
#KaiserPermanente #MedicalNeglect #DenyAndDelay #PatientRights #HealthcareFail
I’m (20f) under my mother’s insurance and they changed policy literally the month before I found out I have an autoimmune disease. My appointments which would have been $25, $50 last year are now $200, $250. And the prices won’t get any better until I meet the $3,500 deductible. I’ve already racked up $1,000 worth of medical bills without knowing until now and it’s only February. So like, I guess I’ll meet the deductible soon but who the heck can afford this??? Like how is this kind of plan even legal. I can barely afford to buy groceries.
Lately, I've been getting calls from "Healthcare" 3-4 times a day from different phone numbers. I never signed up for anything, yet they somehow have my address and other personal information. They even asked for my SSN (hung up mid call+ blocked). But they keep calling from new numbers, and it's really getting on my nerves.
So we all know that there are quite a few low cost telehealth solutions out there for minor items like Teladoc, Virtuwell, etc.
A very well done (but now out of date) review of those providers:
https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/comments/elryxp/ive_compiled_all_the_lowcost_medical_resources/ (maybe we can convince that poster or someone else to do an update)
Those services have some drawbacks. Each doctor/provider is randomly assigned (so you could end up with good or not helpful person). They're prescribing guidelines are almost always extremely conservative (rigid). They meter out help/prescriptions so you need to create appointments more frequently (instead of getting prescriptions that last 3+, 6+, etc. scripts or having a free refill solution).
So I did a deep dive for Telehealth providers that have signs that they're more likely to be "less rigid" in their guidelines, allow you to pick/know who your provider is at booking, and who still have an option or effectively an option to pay on a per visit basis at a reasonable price (instead of the many Direct Primary Care providers that want a monthly payment to work with you). Typically a solution like this is for people with high deductibles that rarely hit them, primary priority is a good experience at a lower cost, don't want to constantly need appointments, and are okay with not submitting through insurance because they likely won't hit their deductible anyway.
I can't personally attest to any of these providers as I've only used 1 of them, but at least they seem to have the hallmarks of hitting all of the above items. These types of providers are extremely difficult to find. I also invite others to post any other websites, apps, providers in the comments or even a provider themselves that believes they fit that criteria.
Telehealth NP
-Pricing: $75 for main office visit if you look at their booking options though they do have specific types of appointments they charge more for: https://www.telehealthnp.com/pricing
-Probably one of the bigger groups that can work with almost all of the states
Sesame Care:
-Pricing, I could be wrong, but it looks like you don't need a membership to book and each doctor lists their price: https://sesamecare.com/service/telehealth-visit
-A bigger player and there is a bit of negative reviews outside of the system. That said the website does have a rating system (but some of those ratings look fake?) so maybe if you focus on going to a better rated provider you get a good answer.
Twin Ports Medicine:
-Pricing: Currently $50 a Wayback Machine Pricing. Don't know why she removed the $50 per appointment from her website. Maybe because she started with a limited set of insurers who probably are more expensive than her cash price.
-https://www.twinportstelemedicine.com/
-Can prescribe in MN, WI, AZ, OR, VA. Lab orders and general info nationwide
On Demand DPC:
-Pricing: Currently $50. https://ondemanddpc.com/pricing
-Serving Texas with it looks like plans to add New Mexico and Colorado soon
I left off Direct Primary Care providers using a monthly model. Theoretically you could turn on a monthly make an appointment at many of these and then turn it off, but honestly they're usually pretty small and I suspect they'll just refuse to take you as a client after. A good place to finding doctors in that space is this tool. Also many you could probably line up a telehealth relationship while not even living in the same city or maybe even same state:
https://dpcalliance.org/member-directory-map/
Last note: Please don't be an a** to a small company (sometimes 1 person operations) that is doing a favor to high deductible people everywhere. It's one thing to ask for some extra antibiotics, get a few sleeping pills for an upcoming flight, maybe get a GLP-1 prescription at a lower cost than going to a clinic doc, etc. and its completely a different thing to call up these services trying to score heavy quantities of controlled substances and then getting mad at them if they don't want to do that for 1 $75 appointment.
This post is potentially off topic, it is the subreddit where I feel this question fits the best, but if is not the one, please head me in the right direction if possible, ill also delete it if necessary
I am worried about my health now that a person with a very explicitly anti-science agenda was made lead of health in the US, I am not here to discuss politics, only asking for tips and methods i can utilize to keep myself healthy during this administration, my main concerns are food security and catching a disease treatable by a method that could become prohibited or unaffordable by legitimate means (like anything that requires a vaccine)
If my fears are unfounded, I'm open to be called out for that too as long as you support your claims with evidence
I recently talked sith United Health Care and Fidelis Care. I searched in reddit about these two but was not quiet satisfied with the user reviews. Suggest me what should I do or which should I choose?
I need to see a doctor asap.
Medical and Dental Website Design is evolving rapidly, shaping how patients engage online. In 2025, 89% of healthcare searches will start on Google, making web design crucial. A well-designed site builds trust, improves patient experience, and boosts appointment bookings. Mobile responsiveness, fast load times, and clear navigation are now essential.
Studies show that 73% of patients prefer online scheduling over phone calls. Plus, AI-driven chatbots and interactive features are also enhancing user engagement. As technology advances, staying updated with design trends ensures a competitive edge.
This article explores the top 5 trends that will define the future of medical and dental websites, helping practices attract and retain patients.
Medical and dental website design is evolving with AI-powered chatbots. These tools provide instant responses, streamline appointment scheduling, and offer 24/7 assistance. According to a Healthcare IT report, over 60% of patients prefer AI-driven chat support for basic inquiries. These chatbots reduce administrative burdens and improve patient experience.
"Patients expect fast, reliable responses, and AI delivers", says Dr. John Matthews, a healthcare tech expert.
With AI advancements, chatbots now handle prescription refills, FAQs, and symptom assessments. A study by Accenture found that healthcare AI could save $150 billion annually by 2026. AI Practices enhance engagement, reduce staff workload, and boost patient satisfaction. Integrating AI-powered assistants in medical and dental website design is essential for staying competitive in 2025.
To attract patients, medical and dental website design must focus on speed and SEO Studies show that a one-second delay in load time reduces conversions by 7%. Fast-loading websites keep visitors engaged and improve search rankings.
"A slow website drives patients away", says SEO expert Mark Peterson.
Google prioritizes websites that load in under three seconds. Optimized images, compressed files, and clean coding enhance performance. SEO strategies like keyword-rich content, mobile optimization, and structured data improve visibility on search engines. Research shows that 75% of users never scroll past the first page of results.
Investing in high-speed, SEO-optimized websites helps medical and dental practices gain traffic, improve patient experience, and increase appointment bookings.
The medical and dental website design must prioritize mobile-first strategies to meet patient expectations. Over 70% of healthcare searches happen on mobile devices, making mobile responsiveness essential. A fast-loading, well-structured mobile site improves engagement and boosts appointment bookings.
"Patients demand convenience, and a seamless mobile experience delivers it", says web accessibility expert Lisa Green.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also ensures inclusivity, allowing individuals with disabilities to access vital healthcare services online. Features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast design enhance usability. Studies show that businesses with accessible websites reach 15% more users.
By integrating mobile-first and ADA-compliant design, medical and dental websites can enhance user experience and attract more patients in 2025.
Medical and dental website design now leverages AI and data analytics to improve user experience. AI tracks patient behavior, helping websites offer personalized content, appointment reminders, and health tips. A McKinsey report states that businesses using AI personalization see a 20% boost in engagement.
"Patients appreciate websites that understand their needs and offer relevant information", says Dr. Emily Roberts, a healthcare digital strategist.
AI-driven platforms suggest services based on browsing patterns, making interactions more intuitive. Predictive analytics help practices anticipate patient needs and improve engagement. Studies show that 79% of consumers act on personalized offers. Practices that embrace AI and data analytics enhance patient satisfaction, increase retention, and create more effective digital experiences.
Medical and dental website design now includes telehealth and secure patient portals to enhance patient care. By 2025, telehealth usage is expected to grow by 40%, making virtual consultations essential. Secure portals allow patients to schedule appointments, access medical records, and communicate with doctors online.
"Patients appreciate the ease of managing healthcare from home", says telehealth expert Dr. Anna Smith.
Studies show that 67% of patients prefer online consultations for non-emergency issues. Secure systems with encryption protect sensitive information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Telehealth integration reduces wait times and improves access to healthcare. Medical and dental practices that adopt these features enhance patient satisfaction, streamline operations, and stay ahead in a competitive digital environment.
Medical and dental website design is essential for attracting and retaining patients. A well-optimized website improves engagement, builds trust, and enhances user experience. Studies show that 75% of users judge a business’s credibility based on website design. A fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and SEO-optimized site ranks higher and attracts more visitors.
Telehealth and secure patient portals improve accessibility and convenience, making healthcare more efficient. AI-driven chatbots and personalized content keep patients engaged and informed. The medical and dental website design must evolve with technology to stay competitive. Practices investing in modern website trends will increase patient satisfaction, improve conversions, and grow their business successfully.
A few years ago my wife who is self-employed had coverage through the marketplace while I was on my employer's insurance at the time. I ended up changing jobs and my wife was moved to my insurance instead.
Flash forward a couple of years and I was just laid off at the end of January this year. My now ex-employer's coverage for us ends on Feb 28th so we'll need something in place for March.
Since I was laid off I understand this qualifies as a special enrollment period for ACA coverage. My question is, do I need to create an account under my name and enroll us both since I was the one who lost my job and our coverage? Or can my wife enroll us in the ACA since she already has an account from a couple years ago? Does it matter?
Sorry if it's a dumb question but I'm pretty new to this.
Anyone else see this? These commercials cost around 8 MILLION DOLLARS for 30 seconds. I find it a huge issue that insane funds are being allocated to advertisements rather than patients, physicians, healthcare itself. I have a huge problem with this and feel that it speaks volumes of americas healthcare problems
Hi everyone! I’m a respiratory therapist, I ended my shift today doing a terminal extubation for a patient and family who I became really close with since meeting them yesterday. I took a recording of the patient’s breathing and heartbeat before withdrawing support to share with the family afterwards. This is my first time attempting this, and when I try to share the recording it exports as a pdf with the waveform and not an audio file. I’m also having a really hard time playing the sound loud or through a speaker/anything to amplify the sound. Can anyone please advise me how to go about exporting the file as an audio recording, or have the sound play loudly enough over a speaker so I can record the sound with another device? Thank you in advance 🙏🏼
I'm a hospital Dietitian and could use a break from it for a while. Thinking of getting certified online as a tech/CNA or a dialysis tech and doing travel gigs for 6-12 months. Talking with patients is the part of the job that I like the most. How was your experience doing either of these roles?
