Q I got a hospital bill and after insurance, I still owe $4,300! Can hospitals send you to collections?   A Hospitals expect payment for care. They bill primary insurance first, then secondary, then you. When you get the bill, check to make sure all insurance coverage has been applied, and check for errors. A hospital […]

All year we’ve been asking you to practice mindfulness. We thought we should wrap up 2015 with one last practice: mindful holidays. Get into the mindfulness of the holiday season by… PAUSING to think about what makes the season special for you. Is it religious, or  spiritual in some way? Is it the history or tradition involved? Maybe it’s the […]

Q I recently signed up for Social Security. Are there other benefits I should know about?   A According to the federal government’s benefits website, www.benefits.gov, “Benefit programs come and go based on changing laws and funding constraints,” so it’s always worth a look to see what might be available through state and federal benefit programs. […]

Candy wrappers, gifts, cards and envelopes represent the holidays. They can be fun to look at, give and receive. However, these holiday treats are taking a toll on our environment. Mother Earth is running out of places to store our castoffs, and it’s a problem. Fortunately, modern thinkers have invented as many ways to dispose of stuff as we have to […]