--- title: Together Patient Advocates Blog | Insurance description: Insurance | Topics ranging from how to advocate for yourself to the benefits of patient advocates. --- [![Together Patient Advocates](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg "Together Patient Advocates")](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/) [![Contact Me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a) # Together Patient Advocates Blog [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Healthcare%20reform%20concept-%20doctor%20holding%20piggy%20bank.%20Medical%20insurance%2c%20reimbursement%20Happy%20smiling%20female%20doctor%2c%20nurse%20holding%20piggy%20bank%20isolated%20on%20a%20white%20background..jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-open-enrollment) ## [What You Need to Know for Open Enrollment](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-open-enrollment) [fa icon="calendar'] Nov 12, 2021 8:07:00 AM / by [Donna Smith, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/donna-smith-bcpa) posted in [Medicare](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare), [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance), [open enrollment](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment), [Obamacare](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/obamacare) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-open-enrollment#comments-listing)   [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-for-open-enrollment) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Mature%20male%20patient%20looking%20at%20female%20receptionist%20using%20landline%20phone%20and%20computer%20at%20reception%20in%20dentists%20clinic.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/how-to-get-medical-appointments-authorizations-referrals) ## [Authorizations and Referrals](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/how-to-get-medical-appointments-authorizations-referrals) [fa icon="calendar'] Apr 23, 2021 2:00:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [self-advocacy](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/self-advocacy), [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/how-to-get-medical-appointments-authorizations-referrals#comments-listing)   We've all been frustrated when referrals or authorizations don't happen as promised. There are fairly simple and straightforward steps you can take to facilitate this process to ensure you get the care you need in the time frame you need it.  [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/how-to-get-medical-appointments-authorizations-referrals) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Closeup%20portrait%20of%20health%20care%20professional%2c%20dr%20or%20md%20with%20stethoscope%20pointing%20to%20sign%20that%20says%20healthcare%20reform%20now%3F%3F%3F%2c%20isolated%20on%20white%20background.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/open-enrollment-is-just-around-the-corner) ## [Open Enrollment is Just around the Corner](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/open-enrollment-is-just-around-the-corner) [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 2, 2020 7:45:00 AM / by [Donna Smith, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/donna-smith-bcpa) posted in [Medicare](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare), [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance), [open enrollment](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment) [[fa icon="comment"] 1 Comment](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/open-enrollment-is-just-around-the-corner#comments-listing) Whether your health insurance is through your employer, a private policy, or Medicare, you’re headed for open enrollment. This is when insurers make cost and benefit changes that will be effective January 1st. Your insurer is required to notify you in writing of upcoming plan benefit changes. Take the time to study those changes and the benefit details in any plan you are considering for your 2021 coverage. The choice you make will be in effect through December 31, 2021 unless you have a qualifying event, such as loss of coverage, that allows you to change coverage mid-year. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/open-enrollment-is-just-around-the-corner) ## [Rising Rates of Colon Cancer Among Young Adults](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/colon-cancer-its-not-just-about-seniors-anymore) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 18, 2020 8:30:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance), [prevention](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prevention), [colon cancer](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/colon-cancer), [young adults](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/young-adults) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/colon-cancer-its-not-just-about-seniors-anymore#comments-listing) ![Serious workers standing all together at work](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Serious%20workers%20standing%20all%20together%20at%20work.jpeg?width=1000&name=Serious%20workers%20standing%20all%20together%20at%20work.jpeg)The recent death of 43 year-old actor Chadwick Boseman is raising much needed awareness about the rise rates of colon cancer among young adults.   [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/colon-cancer-its-not-just-about-seniors-anymore) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Benefit%20on%20Red%20Puzzle%20on%20White%20Background.-1.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/5-words-to-help-you-understand-insurance-claim-forms) ## [5 Words to Help You Understand Insurance Claim Forms](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/5-words-to-help-you-understand-insurance-claim-forms) [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 21, 2020 11:29:00 AM / by [Donna Smith, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/donna-smith-bcpa) posted in [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/5-words-to-help-you-understand-insurance-claim-forms#comments-listing) By Have you ever mistaken an insurance claim form for a puzzle in which none of the pieces are clear and the final “picture” makes no sense? The words seem have no connection to your medical treatment or benefits you’re entitled to receive. The definitions that supposedly explain why amounts weren’t paid must have been lifted from a lawyer’s notebook of phrases that sound good but have no apparent meaning. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/5-words-to-help-you-understand-insurance-claim-forms) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Examination%20of%20financial%20condition%20Stethoscope%20on%20pile%20of%20U.S.%20twenty-dollar%20bills%20isolated%20on%20white%20background-1.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/three-common-reasons-for-surprise-medical-bills) ## [Three Common Reasons for Surprise Medical Bills](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/three-common-reasons-for-surprise-medical-bills) [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 7, 2020 9:53:00 AM / by [Donna Smith, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/donna-smith-bcpa) posted in [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/three-common-reasons-for-surprise-medical-bills#comments-listing) When you hear the phrase, “surprise medical bills,” it usually means that medical treatment you thought was in-network was actually out-of-network.  As a result, your bill is significantly higher than you anticipated – thus, the ugly surprise. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/three-common-reasons-for-surprise-medical-bills) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Examination%20of%20financial%20condition%20Stethoscope%20on%20pile%20of%20U.S.%20twenty-dollar%20bills%20isolated%20on%20white%20background.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/insurance-plan-changes-in-the-time-of-covid) ## [Insurance Plan Changes in the Time of COVID-19](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/insurance-plan-changes-in-the-time-of-covid) [fa icon="calendar'] Jun 5, 2020 8:00:00 AM / by [Donna Smith, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/donna-smith-bcpa) posted in [COVID-19](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/covid-19), [Insurance](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/insurance-plan-changes-in-the-time-of-covid#comments-listing)  While people struggle with the life-threatening effects of COVID-19, the chaos of sky-high emergency room bills plays out in a way that is sadly familiar to anyone who has ever received a surprise medical bill: [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/insurance-plan-changes-in-the-time-of-covid) [All posts](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates - 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