Kathy Laskowski

About 10 years ago my twins went into the hospital to have tubes put into their ears. You get them signed up. You get the date. And then you get the bills.

I expected my insurance to pay 90 percent for the doctor and called to ask why that didn’t happen. I was told: “He’s not on your plan.” How was I supposed to know that?
It’s frustrating to need to know about every person who is going to be in the operating room.

That’s why it’s important to know as much as you can about your plan before you go in. To know what you are entitled to and to ask questions. Be an advocate for yourself.

If I could wave a magic wand and make the health care system better, I’d base it on preventive medicine. They should give incentives for people who do their annual checkups or have Fitbits and download the information. People should get points for doing those kinds of things. They help people to stop smoking. But what about nutrition or weight loss? I mean, let’s get us, all of us help with those kinds of things.