Author
Maria Donnelly
8 explainers, newest first
In short
Maria untangles the math of deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums, showing how they interact instead of just defining them one by one. She likes to walk through real bill scenarios step by step so the numbers stop feeling random.
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Plan BasicsPPO vs EPO: What Changes When You Need a Specialist
PPOs and EPOs look similar on paper but handle specialist visits very differently.
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Costs & Cost-SharingWhy Your Copay Changed Partway Through the Year
A copay that suddenly looks different usually points to a deductible, tier, or plan-year reset.
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Costs & Cost-SharingWhy Two Visits to the Same Doctor Can Cost Different Amounts
Identical-seeming appointments can be billed differently depending on coding, timing, and deductible status.
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Bills & PaperworkReading CPT and Diagnosis Codes Without a Medical Dictionary
You don't need medical training to understand what the codes on your bill are describing.
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Networks & ReferralsWhat Prior Authorization Actually Checks Before You Get Care
Prior authorization isn't just a hurdle, it's a specific review process with its own rules and timeline.
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Everyday CoverageUrgent Care or ER: How Your Plan Pays for Each One Differently
The same symptom can lead to very different bills depending on which door you walk through.
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Everyday CoverageHow Telehealth Visits Are Billed Under Most Employer Plans
Telehealth copays and coverage rules don't always match in-person visit rules, even on the same plan.
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Claims & AppealsWriting an Internal Appeal Letter That Actually Gets Read
A clear, well-organized appeal letter gives your claim the best chance of being reconsidered.