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Take Care

Melody Mulaik

22 episodes

5 days ago

Getting a statement from your insurance company can feel like trying to read a foreign language. What is an EOB? Why does it say, "This is not a bill?" And most importantly, what do you actually owe? Melody Mulaik demystifies the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). She walks you through, step-by-step, how to find your EOBs on your insurer's website and how to read them line by line. You'll learn the difference between the "amount billed" and the "member rate," how to track your deductible, and wha...

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Health & Fitness,

All content for Take Care is the property of Melody Mulaik and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Getting a statement from your insurance company can feel like trying to read a foreign language. What is an EOB? Why does it say, "This is not a bill?" And most importantly, what do you actually owe? Melody Mulaik demystifies the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). She walks you through, step-by-step, how to find your EOBs on your insurer's website and how to read them line by line. You'll learn the difference between the "amount billed" and the "member rate," how to track your deductible, and wha...

Show more...

Health & Fitness,

Episodes (20/22)

Take Care

How to Decipher Insurance Claims and Understand What You Owe | Ep. 20

Getting a statement from your insurance company can feel like trying to read a foreign language. What is an EOB? Why does it say, "This is not a bill?" And most importantly, what do you actually owe? Melody Mulaik demystifies the Explanation of Benefits (EOB). She walks you through, step-by-step, how to find your EOBs on your insurer's website and how to read them line by line. You'll learn the difference between the "amount billed" and the "member rate," how to track your deductible, and wha...

6 days ago

8 minutes

Take Care

What is Pregnancy Global Package Billing? | Ep. 19

Expecting a baby is an exciting time, but the financial paperwork can be confusing. When Caroline’s OB-GYN handed her a financial agreement for a “global billing package,” she wasn’t sure what it meant for her costs. In this episode, Melody breaks down exactly what a maternity global package is and why it’s used. Learn the critical steps to verify the cost with your insurance, what questions to ask about included and excluded services, and how to make sure you don't get hit with unexpected fe...

1 week ago

4 minutes

Take Care

How to Choose the Right Insurance Plan for You | Take Care Together Series | Ep. 18

Choosing a health insurance plan can be one of the most confusing and stressful decisions you make all year. Whether you're aging off your parents' plan, starting a new job, or navigating open enrollment, that list of options can feel overwhelming. In the Take Care Together series, Melody Mulaik is joined by her daughter, Ashley, to break down the process from two different generational perspectives. They demystify the confusing jargon, explain the real-world differences between plan types, a...

2 weeks ago

28 minutes

Take Care

Can I See an Out of Network Provider? | Ep. 17

Your doctor recommends an out-of-network specialist, leaving you with a critical question: Can you see them, and more importantly, what will it cost you? This episode tackles the financial stress and confusion that comes with going out-of-network. Melody breaks down the problem into a simple, two-part framework to help you understand your options and your financial responsibility before you make an appointment. Learn the exact steps to determine what your insurance will (or won't) cover, how ...

3 weeks ago

4 minutes

Take Care

How to Plan Ahead for ER Visits: Reduce Stress and Control Medical Bills | Ep. 16

When a loved one is sick, the last thing you want to stress about is which hospital will cost less. In this episode, Melody answers a question from a listener who struggles with this exact problem and lays out a simple, proactive plan you can follow before an emergency happens. Featured topics in this episode: The critical difference between "in-network" and "out-of-network" hospitals is that choosing the wrong one can significantly impact your final bill.How to understand your specific insur...

1 month ago

8 minutes

Take Care

What to Do When Insurance Denies Your Hospital Stay? | Ep. 15

That letter from your insurance company saying a hospital stay was "not medically necessary" is enough to cause panic. But before you pick up the phone, take a breath. In this episode, Melody Mulaik explains exactly why you shouldn't do anything at all. Learn why this letter is just the opening move in a negotiation between your hospital and your insurer, what the hospital is required to do next, and how your final bill is actually determined. This practical guide will help you stay calm and ...

1 month ago

4 minutes

Take Care

What Can I Do If My Insurance Won’t Approve My Surgery? | Ep. 14

Learning that your insurance company won't approve a necessary surgery can be terrifying and frustrating. But a denial is rarely the final word. In this quick-hitting episode, host Melody Mulaik demystifies the insurance approval process and provides a clear, step-by-step action plan to fight back. Drawing on her extensive industry experience, Melody explains why denials happen, how to effectively partner with your physician's office, and the critical importance of documenting "medical necess...

1 month ago

5 minutes

Take Care

Do I Have to Go to the MRI Center My Insurance Company Picked? | Ep. 13

Your insurance company calls with a suggestion for where to get your MRI, but it's a place you've never heard of. Do you have to go there? Melody Mulaik breaks down why insurers guide patients to specific imaging centers, and it often comes down to cost. She explains that while these centers can be high-quality and save you money, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or quality for savings. Melody provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to research a recommended facility, what red flags to...

1 month ago

3 minutes

Take Care

Do I Have to Pay a Fee for Canceling a Doctor’s Appointment? | Ep. 12

Have you ever had to cancel a doctor's appointment at the last minute because you were sick, only to receive a bill for a missed appointment fee? Melody Mulaik tackles this common frustration. She explains that while these policies are becoming more frequent to protect a doctor's schedule and revenue, you don't always have to pay the fee. Melody provides a clear, step-by-step guide on who to talk to, from the billing office to the physicians themselves, and exactly what to say to ask for the ...

2 months ago

3 minutes

Take Care

How Can I Avoid Waiting at the Doctor’s Office? | Ep. 11

Is there anything more frustrating than showing up on time for a doctor's appointment, only to spend the next hour in the waiting room? Host Melody Mulaik tackles this universal problem with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help you get seen faster. Drawing on insider knowledge, Melody explains how simple shifts in scheduling, like knowing the "golden hours" to book, can dramatically reduce your wait. She also provides tips for communicating with both the scheduling staff and your d...

2 months ago

4 minutes

Take Care

Who’s in Charge of My Loved One’s Care? A Caregiver’s Guide to Hospital Teams | Ep. 7

When a loved one is admitted to the hospital, it can feel chaotic and disorganized, leaving you wondering who is actually in charge of their care. Melody Mulaik answers a listener's question about how to identify the lead physician coordinating her brother's care after a car accident. She demystifies the modern hospital structure, explaining the crucial role of the "hospitalist" group in admitting patients and managing their overall treatment plan. You'll learn a clear, step-by-step process f...

2 months ago

5 minutes

Take Care

How to Get an Appointment ASAP: A Patient's Guide to Faster Care | Ep. 4

Have you ever been told it will be three to four months before you can see a specialist? When you're dealing with a health issue, waiting is the last thing you want to do. Melody Mulaik provides a clear, four-step strategy for securing a doctor's appointment as quickly as possible. From leveraging online portals and waitlists to knowing who to call and, as a last resort, showing up in person, you'll learn how to advocate for yourself effectively and politely. These practical tactics can help ...

2 months ago

7 minutes

Take Care

Caregiving & Doctor Visits: Ensuring Your Parent Gets the Right Care | Ep. 5

When an aging parent starts forgetting to share key details with their doctor, it can be stressful for the whole family. Melody Mulaik provides a compassionate and practical roadmap for adult children who want to step in and help. She tackles the challenge of how to be an effective advocate while still respecting your parents' autonomy. Melody walks through the essential first steps, from having an open conversation about their needs to the critical legal step of getting permission to access ...

2 months ago

7 minutes

Take Care

Why Do I Get Multiple Bills After an ER Visit? | Ep. 8

After a trip to the emergency room, the last thing you want is a confusing stack of bills. Host Melody Mulaik tackles a common question from a neighbor: Why did one ER visit generate multiple separate bills? Melody breaks down the different entities involved in your care from the hospital itself to the various physicians and explains why each one bills separately for their distinct services. This episode clarifies the difference between facility charges and professional fees, helping yo...

2 months ago

3 minutes

Take Care

Where to Turn When Your Doctor Can’t See You: A 4-Step Guide | Ep. 9

What do you do when you need to see your physician today, but your doctor’s office has no available appointments? For non-life-threatening illnesses like a sinus or ear infection, waiting isn't an option. In this episode, Melody Mulaik lays out a clear, four-step strategy to get the timely care you need. From leveraging technology for virtual visits through your provider or insurance company to knowing when and how to use urgent care, Melody provides a practical guide to your same-day healthc...

2 months ago

4 minutes

Take Care

What to Do When Your Doctor Bills You Before Submitting a Bill to Your Insurance? | Ep. 2

Receiving a bill from your doctor or hospital before a claim appears on your insurance website can be frustrating and confusing. Melody Mulaik explains What to Do When Your Doctor Bills You Before Submitting a Bill to Your Insurance? Why this happens, how often these billing errors occur, and the best steps to resolve them. She details how to check your insurer’s portal, contact the billing office, and ensure your information is up to date. Melody also covers typical reasons for delayed or mi...

2 months ago

3 minutes

Take Care

Do I Have to Pay a Medical Bill That Arrives Months Later? | Ep. 10

It’s one of the most frustrating healthcare experiences: you think you’ve settled all the costs from a procedure, and then months later, another bill appears out of nowhere. Do you have to pay for it? In this episode, Melody Mulaik tackles this common question by introducing the critical concept of "timely filing." She explains that providers have a contractual deadline to submit bills to your insurance, and if they miss it, you may not be responsible for the cost. Learn the simple rese...

2 months ago

2 minutes

Take Care

Is This a Bill? Figuring Out Medical Paperwork, What to Pay and When | Ep. 1

The flood of paperwork after a doctor's visit or hospital stay can be incredibly stressful. How do you know what's a real bill versus just an update? Host Melody Mulaik walks through how to tell “Is this a bill?” So that you can figure out your medical paperwork, what to pay and when. She explains the difference between a "this is not a bill" notice and an actual bill, and walks you through the single most important step you must take before ever paying a provider: verifying the charge ...

2 months ago

4 minutes

Take Care

Who’s in Charge of My Loved One’s Care? A Caregiver’s Guide to Hospital Teams | Ep. 7

When a loved one is admitted to the hospital, it can feel chaotic and disorganized, leaving you wondering who is actually in charge of their care. Melody Mulaik answers a listener's question about how to identify the lead physician coordinating her brother's care after a car accident. She demystifies the modern hospital structure, explaining the crucial role of the "hospitalist" group in admitting patients and managing their overall treatment plan. You'll learn a clear, step-by-step process f...

2 months ago

5 minutes

Take Care

How to Find the Best Doctor for You and Your Family | Ep. 3

Finding a great doctor can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Melody Mulaik redefines what "best doctor" means, moving beyond simple factors like proximity and personality to focus on expertise, reputation, and credentials. She shares practical strategies for building your own list of potential physicians, from asking the right questions to friends and family to leveraging your current doctor's professional network. Melody also explains the importance of doing your own rese...

2 months ago

6 minutes