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Sunday Dec 14 A well-meaning friend circulated an email about an out of state insurance agent (she’s “presently working on getting her WI license”) who had quoted health insurance coverage for $1,200/month with a $1,000 deductible (including spouse and four kids).   His local agent had quoted plans that, again in his own words, “were all over $2,000/month with $8,000 deductibles.” “One quirky thing is having to take a 15-minute survey once a month.” (That’s a new one!)   Oh,

Sunday, Dec 7 My annual exam is scheduled for tomorrow. So that my blood chemistry profiles can be reviewed with my PCP then, I went in Tuesday morning for lab work.   Appointment was at 8:00 and I was back in my car at 8:15. That by itself is pretty darn good.   Then I looked at my phone: “New test results available.” The MyChart message was sent at 8:12.   How is that even possible?   Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (16 results); Lipid Panel (6 results); Complete Blood Count

Google ‘most expensive hotels in the USA.’    Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find: Waldorf Astoria, New York - One Bedroom Suite, from $2,756/night Dupont Circle, D.C. - Penthouse Suite, $3,167/night The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay CA - Ocean Balcony Suite, $3,196 Four Seasons, Surfside Florida - Ocean View Corner, $3,830 Not in your budget?   If someone told you they routinely paid these rates locally for far more spartan accommodations, could you guess where they stayed?

That was the question caller ‘Rob’ asked earlier this week.   First, what is COBRA?   Buried in the massive Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is a provision allowing individuals to continue their employer sponsored health insurance (at their own cost plus an admin fee) in the event of certain “qualifying events.”    That simple ‘right’ became known as COBRA because apparently the laws’ hundreds of other provisions were just a tad less memorable; e.g., COB