Decoding Health Care Resources
E-Books from Decoding Health Care
6 Things to Do if You Don’t Have Health Insurance Through an Employer
Almost half of the population doesn’t have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. So, what should you do if you don’t have health insurance through an employer?
6 Ways to Negotiate Lower Healthcare Bills
You can take some steps, both proactively and reactively, to minimize healthcare bills. Learn about 6 strategies you can use to negotiate lower medical bills, whether you’re insured, underinsured, or uninsured.
10 Questions You Should Be Asking About Open Enrollment for Individual Health Insurance
Are you dreading open enrollment? Relax. We’ve done the work for you and answered the top 10 questions regarding open enrollment.
Cheat Sheets from Decoding Health Care
HSA Cheat Sheet
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Tax Considerations Regarding Individual Health Insurance – Learn how to use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to save you money on healthcare expenses and income taxes.
PTC Cheat Sheet
Premium Tax Credits/ ACA Subsidies – Learn the basics about subsidies and how they can save you money on individual health insurance and on taxes.
Other Helpful Resources
Disclaimer: These are external third-party links shared for their educational value, and Decoding Health Care is not responsible for the content of these websites. Most of the resources are FREE to use!
Health Insurance Information
- Healthcare.gov: The official federal ACA Health Insurance Marketplace where you can learn about different topics and sign up for individual insurance. Call center: 1-800-318-2596
- Healthinsurance.org: Find comprehensive health insurance Information.
- State Insurance Guides and Statistics: How insurance works in each state, plus a national overview.
- Marketplace Open Enrollment Guide from the Patient Advocate Foundation.
- Comprehensive Searchable FAQs on individual marketplace insurance topics.
Medicare Information & Resources
- Medicare.gov: The official Medicare platform. Call center: 1-800-633-4227.
- Medicare and You Handbook: An official government publication for those on Medicare or nearing age 65 who want to learn more about their options.
- Medicare Open Enrollment Guide from the Patient Advocate Foundation.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or your local Senior Medicare Patrol for more free help comparing Medicare costs, coverage, and plans.
Health Insurance Cost Calculators
- Obamacare (ACA) Subsidy Calculator
- Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator
- Healthcare.gov Income Calculator (to help when applying for individual health insurance and subsidies)
- Health Insurance Plan Comparison Calculator
Discounted & Low Cost Health Care
-No Insurance Required
- Good RX Pharmacy Discount Card: Save up to 80% off your prescription drugs without using insurance.
- Jason Health: Save up to 80% on lab tests without seeing a doctor or using insurance.
- RadiologyAssist: Affordable diagnostic imaging (MRIs, X-rays, etc.) at imaging centers in over 40 states.
- ColonoscopyAssist: Affordable flat-rate gastroenterology procedures for uninsured and self-pay patients.
- HRSA Database: Find a Community Health Clinic near you.
- National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC): A database of 1400 free and charitable clinics and pharmacies across the U.S.
Social Services
- Benefits.gov: Find government benefits and financial help you may be eligible for, including healthcare benefits.
- Findhelp.org: Find resources in your area for food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
- 211.org: Another social services database very similar to Findhelp.org.
Medical Billing Tools
- Ask the MAC: The Marshall Allen Clone – AI chatbot that helps people navigate the healthcare system while minimizing financial impact.
- Counterforce Health: AI tool that helps with insurance appeals.
- Advocara: AI medical billing tool from a nonprofit trained specifically on medical billing and insurance negotiation.
- Goodbill and Resolve: They research and dispute medical bills to reduce or eliminate what you owe and get paid by taking a cut of the savings.
- Sheer Health: They deal with your insurance headaches, so you don’t have to— for either a subscription fee or a portion of the savings.
Healthcare Price Comparison Tools
- Fair Health Consumer: Research average prices paid by insurance.
- Clear Health Costs: A community-created guide for researching healthcare costs.
- Valenz Bluebook (Formerly Healthcare Bluebook): Compare healthcare prices by procedure, physician, or facility.
- Turquoise Health: Research average prices paid by insurance.
- MDsave: Compare prices and shop for healthcare services for free, saving an average of 50% when you don’t use insurance.
- Billy app: Paid price comparison app; a paid version gives you access to cash prices in addition to insurance prices.
Help with Medical Bills and Patient Advocacy
- Dollar For: Screen for and apply for hospital charity care for free.
- Patient Advocate Foundation: Free patient advocacy and educational resources.
- Greater National Advocates: Can help you find an independent patient advocate by location or specialty.
- Sheerhealth: Deals with insurance headaches so you don’t have to.
Advocacy for Policy Change
- The Center for Health and Democracy: A 501(c)(4) nonprofit patient advocacy and education organization that works to counter the health insurance industry’s lobbying efforts.
- Patients Rising: Equips patients with the tools and leadership skills to bring their experiences directly to the decision-makers who shape healthcare.