The new year is kicking off with the No Surprises Medical Bills Act, the newest consumer rights and protection law from the federal government. The goal of the act is to create a more transparent, competitive, and fair health system to prevent surprise medical bills.

For Insured Individuals, Protections from Surprise Medical Bills

For people who have health coverage through an employer, Health Insurance Marketplace, or an individual health plan purchased directly from an insurer, surprise billings are common and range from $750 to $2600 in situations such as child birth related care, ER, or surgical services.

First ruling of the Act is the ban of surprise bills any time you receive emergency care and require cost sharing for these services, like co-pays, will always be based on in-network rates, even when care is received without prior authorization. The second rule ban’s surprise bills from certain out-of-network providers if you go to an in-network hospital for a procedure. This means cost sharing for certain additional services during your visit will generally be based on in-network rates. The third item requires providers and facilities to share with consumers easy-to-understand notices that explain the applicable billing protections and who to contact if they have concerns that a provider or facility has violated the new surprise billing protections.

For Uninsured Individuals, Better Advanced Knowledge of Costs

For people who do not have health insurance or pay for care on their own (also known as self-paying), the new rule requires most providers to give a “good faith estimate” of costs before providing non-emergency care.

The good faith estimate must include expected charges for the primary item or service, as well as any other items or services that would reasonably be expected. For an uninsured or self-pay consumer getting surgery, for example, the estimate would include the cost of the surgery, as well as any labs, other tests, and anesthesia that might be used during the procedure.

Uninsured or self-pay consumers who receive a final bill that exceeds the good faith estimate by $400 or more can dispute the final charges.

Consumer Help is Available

Health plans, providers, and facilities will most likely work in good faith to comply with the Act requirements, but problems could arise. Consumers should diligently review their medical claims and bills to recognize when surprise billing protections have not been applied and seek help.

Consumers now have access to tools to appeal certain health plan decisions including a help desk (800-985-3059) and webpage (CMS.gov/nosurprises). Details on polices, resources, and consumer rights and protections are also on the webpage.

There are many details to know about these new protections and medical scenarios it applies to, take time to learn more about it to protect you and your family.

For more information, please contact Joy Miller, Family Resource Management Extension Agent, at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720.

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K – State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Fertilizer prices have reached new highs as we move into 2022, and they show no signs of coming back down for this growing season. Many farmers wonder if they’ll be able to properly fertilize their crops, or if they’ll have to settle for lighter rates, and consequently, lighter yields come harvest. While there is no slam dunk way to raise a healthy crop without the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers can take small steps now to possibly lower the amount of fertilizer they apply come spring. One easy, and affordable, step every farmer can take is to have soil tests done for their field prior to spring planting.

Many farmers guess what the nutrient levels are in their soils. Sometimes the assumption is made that most of their fields will have similar nutrient levels, and one soil test is enough to make fertility decisions across their entire operation. The fact of the matter is, that each field is different, and each field should have its very own fertility plan.

The problems that can arise from treating an entire operation as one field can range from over-fertilizing, and wasting money, to under fertilizing, and missing out on the added yield potential of a field. With rising grain prices, farmers are not going to want to miss out on any yield potential from their fields.

Taking soil samples is very simple. Each of our Extension offices have soil probes and sampling bags that farmers can check out to take proper samples. I recommend taking multiple probes from each field, mixing those subsamples together in a clean bucket, and then filling one of our sampling bags from the congregated sample. For large fields, I recommend splitting the field into sections, no bigger than 40 acres, and using the same method to pull samples from each of those sections. More information on taking proper samples can be found on the KSU soil testing lab website, or by contacting your local extension office.

Once you have gathered soil samples from your fields, you can bring them into our extension offices and we can take care of the rest. Tests run around $15 to cover shipping and lab fees, and results are typically received 10-15 days after the lab receives the samples. Each test result will have recommendations made by the KSU soil testing lab, and adjustments can be made by the extension office to fit our area.

Spending the money now to get testing done may seem like an unnecessary, added expense to rising input prices, but knowing exactly what each field needs to raise a quality crop can either save money by removing excess fertilizer, or equate to added yield and higher profits at harvest time.

Some of us may still be winding up our holiday celebrations – gift exchanges may be lingering on our calendar yet, and the decorations may remain hanging to keep those festive vibes alive. The holidays can take over our lives in many ways, given the deadlines and extra hubbub that go along with the festivities.

Often, our regular routines change in the time leading up to the holidays. Our work life changes with having some work days off. Our energy level may be heightened to meet the demands of the holidays. Then we are expected (or we expect of ourselves) to jump back into our regular daily life where we left it before the holidays.

For many, having the holiday break is reinvigorating and refreshing, as we have broken completely away from the norm of our daily lives. However, being out of our routine for a week or two can also leave us struggling to get back into the swing of things.

Making that adjustment can create a funk that is real. Feeling unmotivated or even sluggish are some of the signs. We’ve just come off of an intense level of holiday activity. Then suddenly, it’s all over. The excitement is gone. The highly anticipated moments are done (and those moments we dread, for that matter.)

Beating the post-holiday funk begins with realizing that it is a form of loss and is in reality an adjustment to less stimulation. It can be similar to feeling at loose ends after completing a big project at work, or feeling somewhat empty after a vacation, even though you are glad to be home.

Consider these suggestions if you are feeling the funk.

Continue your social connections. The holidays usually create more occasions for social gatherings. Make an effort to call or visit a friend or two to catch up on their holiday experiences and then share yours also. Don’t let it be a texting conversation. A phone conversation, at a minimum, will stimulate your mind as your conversations transpire.

Get out of the house. Weather this time of year may create challenges in getting out. However, even on a gray day, pushing yourself for some time outside can raise your energy. You are also creating space and interrupting moods that may be tied to those parts of the house with lingering reminders of the recent holidays.

That leads me to getting some exercise. It’s likely we’ve overindulged over the holidays, whether it be with food or drink, sitting around visiting, or binge-watching the various sporting presentations available. Be ready for a pleasant mood shift following some vigorous body movement.

Look forward, not backward. It is common at the beginning of the year to think about those things we didn’t achieve when we review our accomplishments from the previous year. These reflections are often the source of many people’s New Year’s resolutions. Instead, think about one thing you would love to have happen this year. Don’t make it a ‘life goal,’ as that could lead to more exhausting feelings. Identify one small thing and then make a plan to bring it into being.

Try one of these ideas to help you take charge of your mood. It might be just what it takes to shake off those funky feelings that may be hanging around. Have a truly happy new year!

For more information on combatting post-holiday blues, contact your local Southwind Extension District Office.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.