Author
Sarah Lindqvist
8 explainers, newest first
In short
Sarah specializes in the paper trail that follows a doctor's visit: explanation of benefits forms, claim denials, balance billing, and how to tell a bill that needs action from one that doesn't. She breaks documents down line by line so readers can match what they see on paper to what actually happened at the appointment.
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Plan BasicsHow a High-Deductible Health Plan Pays for Care Before You Hit the Deductible
What an HDHP actually covers in the months before your deductible is satisfied.
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Costs & Cost-SharingDeductible vs Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Where Your Money Actually Goes
These two numbers interact all year, and knowing the difference explains most surprise bills.
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Bills & PaperworkHow to Match an Explanation of Benefits to the Bill You Actually Received
Lining up an EOB with a provider bill is the fastest way to catch errors before you pay.
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Bills & PaperworkWhy Your EOB Says ‘This Is Not a Bill’ and What to Do With It Anyway
An EOB isn't a request for payment, but ignoring it can cost you if the numbers are wrong.
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Networks & ReferralsWhen You Need a Referral and When You Don’t
Referral rules depend heavily on plan type, and getting it wrong can mean a denied claim.
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Everyday CoverageHow Prescription Drug Tiers Decide What You Pay at Pickup
The tier a medication falls into, not just its price, determines your copay at the pharmacy counter.
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Claims & AppealsWhat to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Claim Denial
The early steps you take after a denial can make the difference in how fast it gets resolved.
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Plan Terms GlossaryWhat ‘Allowed Amount’ Means on Your EOB
The allowed amount is the number your plan actually uses to calculate what you owe.