Many people pay a lot of money for medical expenses. Kiplinger shares a couple of ways to cut your health bills. Spend less on drugs Switching to generic drugs is one of the easiest ways to save — especially now that some big-name medications, such as Lipitor, have gone generic (see Brand-Name Lipitor at Generic Prices). Some brand-name drugs don’t have a generic clone but do have a Read more

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy! Never has there been a more dreaded phrase than “out-of-network.” Well, maybe. But anyone who’s ever had health insurance knows the headache that is copayments, referrals and reimbursements. Given that, staying on top of the maze of paperwork can sound about as appealing as a lobotomy. But this is the season for open Read more

You can be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams, but money can't buy you health. Your physical and mental well-being is the most important thing in life, according to Suze Orman. The money expert says: "In most cases, your health goes down the drain when you have wealth problems. You don't go to a doctor because you don't have the money. You don't eat the right food because you don't have money. Read more

Move over knee replacements and diabetes medication. It's time to add tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, or hepatitis B to the list of healthcare afforded America's senior population. The US is considering a plan to cover STD tests under Medicare. Recent research found that a higher percentage of older Americans remain sexually active, and last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Read more

If Justin Bieber can make preteens swoon, maybe, just maybe . . . he'll be able to sway politicians on the healthcare debate. Here's what he told the Rolling Stone magazine when asked if he would switch from being Canadian to a US citizen. Bieber says: You guys are evil. Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole Read more

This month, lawmakers will meet with a panel of experts to decide whether birth control should count as preventative medicine, and therefore be free under healthcare reform. One doctor tells NPR: "Contraception rivals immunization in dollars saved for every dollar invested. Spacing out children allows for optimal pregnancies and optimal child rearing. Contraception is a prototype of preventive Read more

My boyfriend came home yesterday with the news that his firm had announced a weight-loss incentive program. Though I read about company efforts to keep healthcare costs down daily, I was stunned. My guy's office is pretty small, and from what I've seen of his co-workers, no one's overweight. In fact, they're a pretty young company altogether, and from where I'm standing, probably not the most Read more

House passed healthcare reform last night, Obama tweets "Yes We Can" — Daily Intel 10 things that will change immediately thanks to the bill — Crooks and Liars Tiger Woods gives first interview — ESPN Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher wed in Paris — PopSugar Photog Terry Richardson addresses sexual misconduct allegations — Fashionologie The new face of teen "sexting" — Read more

"I encourage other members of Congress to listen to the American people and the majority of House members who have made it very clear: We do not want taxpayer dollars financing abortion." — Congressman Bart Stupak defends his controversial amendment to the healthcare reform bill in a New York Times op-ed this week. The "Stupack amendment" bans abortion coverage from the public insurance option Read more