It’s open enrollment for 2023 health insurance for lots of folks — a time when you might find yourself asking: what good is health insurance anyway?
One listener wrote to us about his son, a student with no income. Dad asks, If the son could get charity care (financial assistance) at his local hospital…. should he bother getting health insurance?
The big picture question: If you’re broke, and can’t get insurance from work, what are your best options?
The big picture answer: It totally depends!
We had expert help here: Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation, and . Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, and a super-expert on charity care.
If you want to go deeper:
We’d love for you to support this show. Now is a great time to do it.
This month, every dollar you donate is DOUBLED, thanks to NewsMatch and the Institute for Nonprofit News. Holy cow, what a deal.
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My Neighbor the Health-Care Ninja
Mom vs. Texas
Hey there! Season 3 is coming November 14. Here’s a preview.
A place where they do health care more cheaply and effectively. (And yes, it’s in the U.S.)
An actor walks into a doctor’s office…
Whoa, this medical device is spying on me. In my sleep. So my insurer can deny me coverage.
The surprising history behind insulin’s absurd price (and some hopeful signs in the wild)
Coming next week: The price of insulin
Why are drug prices so random? Meet Mr. PBM
How much for an MRI? Well, that depends…
To get paid, hospitals get creative
We thought we had adulted properly
We’re back! Here’s a taste of Season 2, launching June 4.
A “deal” on health insurance comes with troubling strings
Why are ER bills so horrible? Sarah Kliff spent a year finding out. (Season One, episode 7)
Why Health Insurance Actually Sucks (Season One, episode 6)
So, Robin Hood’s got an approach to medical bills. (Season One, episode 5)
Why you (and I) will likely pick the wrong health-insurance plan (Season One, episode 4)
How one drug got its $500,000 price tag. (With 99 Percent Invisible– Season One, episode 3)
All the Marbles: One woman’s epic quest for health insurance (Season One, episode 2)
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