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
30 episodes
Why Did I Get a Separate Lab Bill? Understanding Unexpected Charges Bill
You went to the doctor, paid your copay… and then a separate lab bill showed up. Why does this happen?In this episode of Take Care, Melody M...
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Episode 28
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8:51
Where Should I Get My Prescriptions Filled? Mail Order vs Local Pharmacy
Filling a prescription seems simple until you’re faced with multiple options, insurance rules, and cost differences that aren’t always explained.In this episode of Take Care, host ...
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Episode 27
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5:54
What to Do When Your Physician Dismisses You as a Patient
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
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Episode 26
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5:46
Your Medical Information, Your Rights: HIPAA
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 t...
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Episode 25
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7:27
Telehealth Explained: Navigating Virtual Care, Insurance, and Online Safety | Take Care Together
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...
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Episode 24
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20:27
Top 5 Medical Billing Questions Answered: Your Bill Validation Guide
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 ev...
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Episode 23
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21:32
Top 5 Things you Need to Know to Get the Care You Need
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?
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
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?
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
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?
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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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
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?
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
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?
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
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