Finding out your doctor can no longer see you is a jarring experience that can leave you feeling dismissed and anxious about your health.

In this episode of Take Care, host Melody Mulaik demystifies the process of "physician dismissal." You’ll learn why this happens, what legal protections you have against patient abandonment, and most importantly, the immediate steps you need to take to ensure your care isn't interrupted.

In this episode, Melody discusses:

• [00:45] The Hard Truth: Can a doctor really "fire" a patient?
• [01:10] Understanding Patient Abandonment: Why they can’t just stop caring for you without notice.
• [02:00] The Notice Period: What to look for in your formal written communication.
• [03:00] The Action Plan: Securing medical records and ensuring you have access to prescriptions.
• [04:00] Finding Your New Provider: Resources, insurance tips, and referral advice.
• [04:45] Your Rights: When and how to contact your state medical board.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Have you ever signed a HIPAA form at the doctor’s office and wondered what you were actually agreeing to? In this episode, Melody Mulaik breaks down the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to demonstrate that it’s more than just paperwork; it’s a powerful tool for patient empowerment.

From your right to access your own records to how you can dictate who sees your information, Melody explains how to navigate these protections to ensure your healthcare remains accurate, private, and within your control.

In this episode, Melody discusses:

• [00:00] What is HIPAA and why does it matter to you?
• [01:12] Your right to access and own copies of your medical and billing records
• [01:58] How to request changes or amendments to inaccurate medical information
• [02:40] Understanding the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
• [03:45] Requesting restrictions on how your information is shared
• [04:44] Dictating your communication preferences and confidential contacts
• [05:33] Withdrawing permission and managing third-party access
• [06:30] Final recap of patient rights under HIPAA

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever signed a privacy form at the doctor's office and wondered what you were actually agreeing to or, if you've ever found an error in your medical records and didn't know you could fix it, this episode is a must-listen.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Melody Mulaik and Ashley Hunter demystify the world of telehealth and telemedicine. From diagnosing a sinus infection from your couch to managing a specialist's care in a different state, virtual visits have transformed how we access healthcare.

But with new technology comes new questions: Is my insurance going to pay for this? Is that TikTok ad for medication legitimate?

Melody and Ashley break down the "how-to" of virtual care, provide a framework for vetting online services, and share tips for helping older family members navigate digital appointments.

Featured Topics:

• Understanding the live, virtual interaction between patients and providers for diagnosis and prescriptions.
• How to research the legitimacy, transparency, and provider availability of digital healthcare websites.
• Navigating the complexities of 2026 coverage and how state laws impact online medical care.

In this episode, Melody and Ashley discuss:

• [00:09] Telehealth allows providers to diagnose and prescribe via live video on computers or phones.
• [02:22] COVID-19 accelerated telehealth adoption and insurance coverage by roughly 20 years.
• [03:32] Virtual visits offer faster appointments for rural residents and caregivers of elderly parents.
• [05:58] While coverage continues in 2026, state laws and specific insurance plans still vary.
• [10:48] Consumers should prioritize transparency and consult local pharmacists to verify online medical services.

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Navigating the mountain of medical correspondence and bills is one of the most stressful parts of receiving care. Melody Mulaik breaks down the top five most confusing medical billing issues and gives you a clear, actionable plan to validate every charge, so you only pay what you truly owe.

Learn the critical difference between the communication that says "This is not a bill" and the final statement that requests payment. Most importantly, Melody provides the one non-negotiable step you must take with your insurance company before making that payment.

Featured Topics:

• Validating Your Bill: The essential first step is to log in to your insurance company's website to review the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and confirm your patient's responsibility before paying any medical bill.
• Handling Unsubmitted Claims: If you receive a bill but the claim isn't showing up on your insurance company's website, call the provider's billing office and ask them to resubmit the bill.
• The Timely Filing Rule: If you get a bill months after a procedure, check your EOB to see if the insurance company denied the claim due to the provider missing the "timely filing" deadline; if they did, you are not obligated to pay it.

In this episode, Melody discusses:

• [00:00] The stress of medical correspondence and why providers communicate with you.
• [01:06] What to do with the initial "This is not a bill" statement.
• [01:54] The non-negotiable step to take once you receive a bill—checking your insurance claim.
• [04:36] Action plan: What to do if your provider failed to submit the bill to your insurance.
• [07:11] Why do you receive multiple bills for a single ER visit?
• [10:43] The "Timely Filing" rule: Do you have to pay a bill received months later?.
• [13:08] Detailed breakdown: How to read your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to find your exact responsibility.

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever tried to get an urgent appointment with your doctor and were told they have no availability, this episode is a must-listen.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Navigating your health requires more than just showing up; it requires a strategy. Melody Mulaik breaks down the complexities into five actionable steps, so you can stop feeling powerless and start getting the high-quality, timely care you deserve.

Are you struggling to find a specialist without a three-month wait? Does your doctor rush you and type on a computer instead of listening? Are you sick and need care today? Melody provides insider strategies for all these common pain points.

Featured Topics:

• Strategically Find Your Doctor. Go beyond proximity and personal traits by seeking respected physicians who are board-certified or double-board-certified in their specialty.
• Get a Faster Appointment. Use the online scheduling portal, ask about flexibility in location, or utilize the waitlist to secure an appointment with a busy specialist quickly.
• Demand to Be Heard. Do not leave the exam room until all your questions are answered, and politely ask the staff to have the physician return if they try to rush out.

What You’ll Learn:

• [00:00] How to stop guessing and strategically find the absolute best doctor for you and your family.
• [05:58] Four key ways to get that critical appointment fast, even if you are initially told the wait is months long.
• [11:47] What to say to ensure your doctor stops rushing and listens to all your comments and questions.
• [16:55] How to schedule your appointments to significantly avoid frustrating delays and long waiting times.
• [20:00] Four simple options for getting the medical care you need immediately when your physician is unavailable today.

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever tried to get an urgent appointment with your doctor and were told they have no availability, this episode is a must-listen

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

Deciding between an FSA and an HSA can feel like a financial gamble, especially with the 'use it or lose it' rule hanging over an FSA.

Melody Mulaik breaks down the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and the Health Savings Account (HSA). Learn the critical differences in funding, ownership, portability, and rollover rules so you can confidently set aside pre-tax dollars to cover your family’s qualified medical expenses.

Whether you're in a high-deductible plan or planning for predictable healthcare needs, this episode will help you invest wisely and lower your taxable income.

Featured Topics:

• Understand the fundamental difference between an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and an HSA (Health Savings Account), and why one is a "use it or lose it" scenario while the other rolls over.
• Learn which account is tied to your employer and must be left behind if you change jobs (FSA), and which one is owned by you and is fully portable (HSA).
• Find out how both accounts offer pre-tax contributions, but only an FSA might allow you to spend ahead before you've contributed the money.

What You’ll Hear:

• [0:00] FSA vs. HSA, what’s the difference?
• [0:36] Defining FSA (Flexible Spending Account) vs. HSA (Health Savings Account)
• [0:45] The critical distinction: Spending vs. Savings
• [0:55] FSA: Employer-tied, set contributions, and portability issues
• [1:15] HSA: Tied to high-deductible plans and portability
• [1:35] The one similarity: Both are pre-tax contributions
• [2:00] FSA’s 'Use It or Lose It' vs. HSA’s Rollover
• [2:40] Spending ahead: How an FSA can function like a credit
• [3:30] Tax implications of withdrawing non-medical HSA funds
• [4:15] Choosing the right plan for high deductibles
• [4:50] Final thoughts on lowering taxable income and managing medical expenses

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever stared at a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) option and had no idea which one saves you money or causes you to lose it, this episode is a must-listen.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

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 what co-insurance really means for your wallet.

Stop guessing and feeling anxious about medical bills. This episode gives you the tools to confidently validate every bill you receive from a provider and ensure you're only paying what you truly owe.

Featured Topics:

• What an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is and how to find it on your insurance company's website.
• Understanding the key terms on your EOB, like deductible, copay, and co-insurance.
• A line-by-line guide to reading your EOB, including the "amount billed," "member rate," and "your responsibility".
• How to find "remark codes" to understand why a claim might not have been paid and what your next steps should be.

What You’ll Hear:

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Why you must validate what you owe for a service.
• [00:01:00] How to find your "Explanation of Benefits" (EOB) on your insurer's website.
• [00:02:00] Understanding the EOB summary: "This is not a bill" and tracking your deductible.
• [00:03:00] Defining key terms: Co-insurance vs. Copay.
• [00:04:00] Breaking down the EOB columns: Service descriptions, CPT codes, and Amount Billed.
• [00:05:00] Finding your true cost: Understanding the "Member Rate," what's applied to your deductible, and your co-insurance.
• [00:06:00] A real-world example of how co-insurance is calculated.
• [00:07:00] What to do if a claim isn't paid: Finding and reading "remark codes".
• [00:08:00] How to use the EOB to validate any bill you receive from a provider.

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you've ever stared at a medical bill and an "Explanation of Benefits" (EOB) and had no idea if you actually owe that amount, this episode is a must-listen.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.

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 fees from the hospital. This is your guide to financially preparing for your new arrival with confidence.

Featured Topics:

• What is a global billing package for maternity care?
• How to verify the amount your doctor is asking for with your insurance plan.
• Understanding what services are typically included and excluded from the package.
• How to clarify potential hospital fees vs. physician fees to avoid surprises.

What You’ll Hear:

• [00:40] What is a Global Package?
• [01:05] Step 1: Check Your Insurance Benefits for Maternity Care.
• [01:48] What to Do When Your Doctor’s Bill and Insurance Don’t Match.
• [02:45] Step 2: Understand What's Included vs. Not Included.
• [03:20] Step 3: Ask About Additional Hospital Fees.
• [03:55] Final Takeaways for Financial Planning.

Want to Ask Melody? Visit: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode. If you're expecting and have received a financial agreement from your OB-GYN for a "global billing package," this episode is a must-listen.

Take Your Healthcare Advocacy Further

Navigating the healthcare system doesn't have to be a solo journey. For deeper dives into the topics we discuss on the show, plus exclusive "insider" tips delivered straight to your feed, subscribe to Take Care Newsletter.

• Subscribe to the Take Care Newsletter
• Connect With Melody on LinkedIn
• Got a Healthcare Question? Ask Melody Now.