Take Care
Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming—Take Care is here to change that. Hosted by healthcare leader and industry expert Melody Mulaik, this podcast breaks down the complexities of healthcare so you can be empowered, informed, and in control. Whether you're managing your own care or supporting someone else, each episode delivers clear, practical insights to help you take care of what matters most. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us in making healthcare less confusing—and more human.
Episodes
24 episodes
Top 5 Things you Need to Know to Get the Care You Need | Ep. 22
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 dese...
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Episode 22
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25:49
FSA vs HSA: What's the Difference and How to Choose the Right Account? | Ep. 21
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...
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6:13
How to Decipher Insurance Claims and Understand What You Owe | Ep. 20
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 demyst...
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Episode 20
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8:46
What is Pregnancy Global Package Billing? | Ep. 19
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, Melo...
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Episode 19
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4:53
How to Choose the Right Insurance Plan for You | Take Care Together Series | Ep. 18
Choosing a health insurance plan can be one of the most confusing and stressful decisions you make all year. Whether you're aging off your parents' plan, starting a new job, or navigating open enrollment, that list of options can feel overwhelm...
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Episode 18
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28:43
Can I See an Out of Network Provider? | Ep. 17
Your doctor recommends an out-of-network specialist, leaving you with a critical question: Can you see them, and more importantly, what will it cost you? This episode tackles the financial stress and confusion that comes with going out-of-netwo...
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Episode 17
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4:05
How to Plan Ahead for ER Visits: Reduce Stress and Control Medical Bills | Ep. 16
When a loved one is sick, the last thing you want to stress about is which hospital will cost less. In this episode, Melody answers a question from a listener who struggles with this exact problem and lays out a simple, proactive plan you can f...
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Episode 16
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8:03
What to Do When Insurance Denies Your Hospital Stay? | Ep. 15
That letter from your insurance company saying a hospital stay was "not medically necessary" is enough to cause panic. But before you pick up the phone, take a breath. In this episode, Melody Mulaik explains exactly why you shouldn't do anythin...
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Episode 15
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4:15
What Can I Do If My Insurance Won’t Approve My Surgery? | Ep. 14
Learning that your insurance company won't approve a necessary surgery can be terrifying and frustrating. But a denial is rarely the final word. In this quick-hitting episode, host Melody Mulaik demystifies the insurance approval process and pr...
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Episode 14
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5:58
Do I Have to Go to the MRI Center My Insurance Company Picked? | Ep. 13
Your insurance company calls with a suggestion for where to get your MRI, but it's a place you've never heard of. Do you have to go there? Melody Mulaik breaks down why insurers guide patients to specific imaging centers, and it often comes dow...
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Episode 13
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3:54
Do I Have to Pay a Fee for Canceling a Doctor’s Appointment? | Ep. 12
Have you ever had to cancel a doctor's appointment at the last minute because you were sick, only to receive a bill for a missed appointment fee? Melody Mulaik tackles this common frustration. She explains that while these policies are becoming...
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Episode 12
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3:28
How Can I Avoid Waiting at the Doctor’s Office? | Ep. 11
Is there anything more frustrating than showing up on time for a doctor's appointment, only to spend the next hour in the waiting room? Host Melody Mulaik tackles this universal problem with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to help you g...
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Episode 11
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4:45
How to Get Your Doctor to Listen: Patient Advocacy Tips | Ep. 6
It’s a frustratingly common experience: your doctor is rushed, typing on a computer, and barely making eye contact, leaving you feeling unheard and intimidated. In this episode, Melody Mulaik tackles a listener's question “How to Get Your Docto...
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4:20
How to Get an Appointment ASAP: A Patient's Guide to Faster Care | Ep. 4
Have you ever been told it will be three to four months before you can see a specialist? When you're dealing with a health issue, waiting is the last thing you want to do. Melody Mulaik provides a clear, four-step strategy for securing a doctor...
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Episode 4
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7:18
Who’s in Charge of My Loved One’s Care? A Caregiver’s Guide to Hospital Teams | Ep. 7
When a loved one is admitted to the hospital, it can feel chaotic and disorganized, leaving you wondering who is actually in charge of their care. Melody Mulaik answers a listener's question about how to identify the lead physician coordinating...
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Episode 7
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5:10
Do I Have to Pay a Medical Bill That Arrives Months Later? | Ep. 10
It’s one of the most frustrating healthcare experiences: you think you’ve settled all the costs from a procedure, and then months later, another bill appears out of nowhere. Do you have to pay for it? In this episode, Melody Mulaik tackles this...
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Episode 10
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2:53
Where to Turn When Your Doctor Can’t See You: A 4-Step Guide | Ep. 9
What do you do when you need to see your physician today, but your doctor’s office has no available appointments? For non-life-threatening illnesses like a sinus or ear infection, waiting isn't an option. In this episode, Melody Mulaik lays out...
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Episode 9
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4:45
Why Do I Get Multiple Bills After an ER Visit? | Ep. 8
After a trip to the emergency room, the last thing you want is a confusing stack of bills. Host Melody Mulaik tackles a common question from a neighbor: Why did one ER visit generate multiple separate bills? Melody breaks down the different ent...
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Episode 8
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3:27
Who’s in Charge of My Loved One’s Care? A Caregiver’s Guide to Hospital Teams | Ep. 7
When a loved one is admitted to the hospital, it can feel chaotic and disorganized, leaving you wondering who is actually in charge of their care. Melody Mulaik answers a listener's question about how to identify the lead physician coordinating...
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Episode 7
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5:10
Caregiving & Doctor Visits: Ensuring Your Parent Gets the Right Care | Ep. 5
When an aging parent starts forgetting to share key details with their doctor, it can be stressful for the whole family. Melody Mulaik provides a compassionate and practical roadmap for adult children who want to step in and help. She tackles t...
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Episode 5
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7:03
How to Find the Best Doctor for You and Your Family | Ep. 3
Finding a great doctor can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Melody Mulaik redefines what "best doctor" means, moving beyond simple factors like proximity and personality to focus on expertise, reputation, and credentials. S...
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Episode 3
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6:13
What to Do When Your Doctor Bills You Before Submitting a Bill to Your Insurance? | Ep. 2
Receiving a bill from your doctor or hospital before a claim appears on your insurance website can be frustrating and confusing. Melody Mulaik explains What to Do When Your Doctor Bills You Before Submitting a Bill to Your Insurance? Why this h...
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Episode 2
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3:46
Is This a Bill? Figuring Out Medical Paperwork, What to Pay and When | Ep. 1
The flood of paperwork after a doctor's visit or hospital stay can be incredibly stressful. How do you know what's a real bill versus just an update? Host Melody Mulaik walks through how to tell “Is this a bill?” So that you can figure out your...
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Episode 1
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4:19
How You Can Get Better Healthcare: Introducing the Take Care Podcast | Trailer
Welcome to the Take Care Podcast! Frustrated by how difficult it is for people to navigate the complicated healthcare system, host Melody Mulaik launched the Take Care podcast to empower listeners with the knowledge and resources they need to b...
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2:51