Category Archive

2022 October

Virtual Mental Health

Online therapy existed before 2020, but as it became clear how vital these services were, more insurance providers began covering them. Here are a handful of online therapy providers that stand out both for their quality of service and because they accept many insurance plans.

Talkspace accepts multiple insurance carriers and offers therapy for teens, couples, and individuals, as well as medication management. You can get started by taking a brief evaluation that will offer you several therapists from whom to choose. One of Talkspace’s main perks is that you can communicate with your therapist at any time of day and are guaranteed a daily response. Talkspace has several monthly subscription plans that include a variety of communication options.

Another option is Doctor on Demand. They do not offer subscription plans, but 82% of users said their insurance coverage helped with costs. You can read different therapist biographies and choose yours. Like Talkspace, Doctor on Demand offers medication management services.

You may be familiar with Teladoc as the people you call when you’ve got a sinus infection or a cold and need a quick virtual visit, but they also offer mental health services. Teladoc provides audio and video session options with both therapists and psychiatrists.

There are many additional companies that provide virtual mental health and take insurance – see HERE to investigate more options. Coverage varies by plan, so make sure to check your plan details to see what coverage you have or if your plan has a preferred provider. Many of these providers also accept cash payment if your plan doesn’t cover them. Help is available with just a click!

How to Find Online Therapy That Takes Your Insurance (healthline.com)
Best Online Therapy with Insurance of 2022 (verywellmind.com)

Keep It Moving: Dietary Fiber

Cereal and grain-based products boast a common message: Eat more fiber! But why?

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that comes in two different forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and it helps your body maintain healthy glucose (sugar) levels as well as lower your blood cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, and its primary function is to help food move through your digestive system.

On top of this, fiber helps regulate bowel movements and bowel health by preventing constipation (recent studies show fiber may even potentially lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer). High-fiber foods may also help you maintain a healthy weight or even lose weight, as it is more filling than low-fiber food.

While fiber supplements can be helpful particularly in solving constipation, most of them do not provide the full spectrum of health benefits that fiber from whole foods does. There are some easy ways to include more fiber in your diet.

Try kicking off your day with a high-fiber cereal. Swap out white flour for high-fiber alternatives, such as whole-wheat flour, brown rice, or bulgur wheat. Pack your snacks with high-fiber foods like fresh fruits and vegetables or a handful of nuts. Incorporate beans, peas, and lentils to your meals for an extra boost.

Fiber | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet – Mayo Clinic

Autism & Adult Women

It’s estimated that roughly 2% of people in the United States are autistic.

Long-held stereotypes of autistic individuals portray them as highly intelligent with developed special interests, low social skills, and visible stimming (performing repetitive motions like flapping their hands or rocking back and forth). And almost always that stereotype brings to mind the image of a male.

While it is true that men are diagnosed with autism far more frequently than women — at a rough ratio of four to one — there is emerging evidence that women have been underdiagnosed for a long time. Researchers believe that this is due to the criteria commonly used for diagnosis, which have been based almost entirely on male autistic behavior.

Multiple studies indicate that autistic women often present differently – they have, in many cases, related but different symptoms, and behaviorally differ from autistic men. Autism manifests differently for each woman, but common symptoms are sensory issues, feeling like they are different from other women, feeling the need to mimic others to fit in, emotional regulation issues, and often anxiety and depression.

Research is finding that women are able to “camouflage” or “mask” better than men. They can effectively hide their symptoms by observing and imitating the people around them. More than one study suggests this is due to social pressure on women to fit in and other gendered expectations that are not usually placed on men.

The good news is that these differences are coming to light and being actively studied, making it easier for women to receive a correct diagnosis. If these symptoms sound familiar to you, see HERE and HERE for more information, and talk to your doctor if you are interested in pursuing a diagnosis.

10 Key Signs of Autism in Women | Psychology Today
Autism in women: why it’s different and what to look out for (seeherthrive.com)

Resolving Insurance Issues

2022 October, Benefit Spotlight September 25, 2022

It’s never fun to get bills in the mail. It can be additionally frustrating when they’re medical bills for a procedure you thought was covered.

Health benefits can be confusing to sort through, and alarmingly, insurance billing errors are not uncommon. Depending on the source, it’s estimated that between 7% and 80% of medical bills contain errors.

If you receive a bill that you think is incorrect, start by asking the provider to explain the exact charges submitted to your insurance carrier. For example, if you went to your primary care provider (PCP) for what you thought was a routine preventive visit but see additional charges, call your PCP’s office and ask what those charges were for. You can also check the bill against the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that your insurer is required to send you after your medical provider has filed a claim. An EOB will detail exactly what your medical insurance covers and what it has paid toward this claim.

If you see discrepancies between your bill and your EOB, talk to your doctor’s office, explain the discrepancies, and ask them to review and fix the charges. If your insurance provider has not covered something they are supposed to, you should also contact them to review your case. You may need to file an appeal – make sure to do this as soon as possible to avoid your bill going to collections. See HERE for a more detailed, step-by-step outline.

You may not have to do this on your own. Check to see whether your employer provides access to third-party vendors like Health Advocate or Alight. These companies will help you review your benefits and dispute charges you think were made in error.

What to Do if Your Medical Bill Has Mistakes (webmd.com)
This simple form can keep you from overpaying for medical care (cnbc.com)