I’ve been watching the news reports, some accurate, some not so much, around the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. I’ve noticed that some scary-sounding public pronouncements are actually just common-sense actions, and once I read the fine print, it reassures me to know our public officials are taking action.

With diseases like this that can really put older people and people with compromised immune systems at serious risk, I’m thrilled to see people in charge, like our governor, take them seriously. Read more

In case you missed it, it’s cold and flu season. Hopefully, you are following the advice medical and public health professionals have been giving for years: Get your flu shot, wash your hands regularly, avoid huge crowds, try not to touch your face and, for God’s sake, keep your fingers out of your nose! (Quit denying it, I saw you!) Likewise, if you start to feel bad, running fever and the like, don’t go to work, school or public gatherings, and see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

These habits will serve you well in the face of the latest viral threat, the new coronavirus, formally named COVID-19. Read more

In this episode of the Straight Talk podcast (23:32), Mike sits down to answer some questions from readers.

Mike takes on your tough questions, including how the Health Insurance Tax is affecting your premiums (hint: they are taking a hit, but there are other factors that can cause your rates to go up. Mike spells them out).
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Let me ask you a hypothetical question. Would you rather:

1. Pay a $500 bill that you were totally expecting, or
2. Pay a $300 bill that was a total surprise?

As the person who keeps track of bills and payments due for my family, I say there is NOTHING worse than a bill you weren’t expecting. No matter how much I owe, if I know about it up front, I can plan, estimate, maneuver, borrow or do whatever I have to do to pay that bill on time.

If I get ambushed, though… Grrrrr!!!! Don’t like it. Much more stressful. Read more

The headlines can be pretty stark, and scary:

82K Louisiana Medicaid Patients Could Be Booted from Program… (Associated Press, Oct. 11, 2019)
After thousands booted from Medicaid rolls… (The Advocate, June 13, 2019)
Another 11,500 people removed from Louisiana Medicaid rolls… (WAFB TV, July 1, 2019)

 What the heck is going on?

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Want in on an inside conversation between Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut and one of his Straight Talk producers? They are interesting exchanges. In this one, which we recorded for you, we talk about the latest news with the ACA, even going back in time a bit.

We also talk about how the ruling could affect some really popular benefits of the ACA, Read more