News · Explainers · How-tos
US healthcare news, explained
What is changing in American healthcare and what it means for you, from Medicare and Marketplace plans to dental coverage and cosmetic care. Every post is checked against official sources.
Photo: Hush Naidoo Jade Photography on Unsplash
All posts
Medicare open enrollment for 2027: what to check before December 7
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2026.
Read more →
ACA Marketplace open enrollment for 2027: dates and tips
HealthCare.gov open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026.
Read more →
ACA subsidies in 2027: what the end of enhanced tax credits means
The enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025.
Read more →
Free consultation checklist: 15 questions to ask
Make the most of a free dental, orthodontic or cosmetic consultation: 15 questions about costs, insurance, risks, recovery and the provider’s experience.
Read more →
Medicaid work requirements: what changes in 2027
Medicaid “community engagement” requirements start by Jan 1, 2027 in expansion states.
Read more →
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide: what the FDA says now
The semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages are over.
Read more →
Medicare’s 2027 negotiated drug prices, explained
Medicare’s second round of negotiated drug prices, covering 15 drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy, takes effect January 1, 2027.
Read more →
How to choose a plastic surgeon: a safety checklist
How to check a plastic surgeon’s board certification, license and hospital privileges, choose an accredited facility and spot red flags before cosmetic surgery.
Read more →
The Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap, explained
Medicare Part D caps what you pay for covered drugs each year: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
Read more →
Medical and dental tourism: the risks to know first
Thinking of getting implants, veneers or cosmetic surgery abroad? The CDC’s advice on medical tourism, common risks, aftercare problems and questions to ask.
Read more →
Med spa safety: choosing who injects your Botox and fillers
Med spa safety guide: who can inject Botox and fillers, spotting counterfeit products, questions to ask and what to do if something goes wrong.
Read more →
HSA changes for 2026 and 2027: what is new
New HSA rules: bronze and catastrophic Marketplace plans now qualify, direct primary care fees can be paid from an HSA, telehealth is permanent and 2027 limits.
Read more →
Medicare telehealth extended through 2027
Medicare telehealth flexibilities, including visits from home, run through December 31, 2027.
Read more →
The No Surprises Act: protection from surprise medical bills
How the No Surprises Act stops surprise out-of-network bills for emergencies and hospital care, and how uninsured patients get a Good Faith Estimate.
Read more →
Medical debt and your credit report: where things stand
The CFPB rule banning medical debt from credit reports was vacated in 2025.
Read more →
Does Medicare cover dental? Your options for 2027
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care.
Read more →
Urgent care vs the ER: where should you go?
When to choose urgent care, the emergency room, telehealth or your regular doctor, what each typically costs you, and how your insurance treats each one.
Read more →
How dental insurance works (and how to get the most from it)
Dental insurance explained: annual maximums, deductibles, the 100-80-50 coverage pattern, waiting periods, missing tooth clauses and pre-treatment estimates.
Read more →
Dental savings plans vs dental insurance
Dental savings (discount) plans and dental insurance compared: how each works, waiting periods, annual maximums, in-house membership plans and who each suits.
Read more →
Hospital price transparency: how to find real prices
Hospitals must publish their prices online.
Read more →
Free and low-cost dental care: where to look
No dental insurance? Where to find free and low-cost dental care in the US: community health centers, dental schools, Medicaid, free clinic events and more.
Read more →
Clear aligners vs braces: which is right for you?
Clear aligners vs metal and ceramic braces compared for teens and adults: effectiveness, comfort, appearance, treatment time, cost factors and insurance.
Read more →
Kids’ dental care: first visits, CHIP and coverage
When should your child first see a dentist? How Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace plans cover children’s dental care, sealants, fluoride and orthodontics.
Read more →
The water fluoridation debate: where things stand
Utah and Florida ended community water fluoridation in 2025 and other states are debating it.
Read more →