Choosing, using, and losing your health care: A policy first-aid kit

Choosing, using, and losing your health care: A policy first-aid kit

In a four-part weekly series, Globe Opinion offers a baseline assessment of health care as well as prescriptions for fixing the industry.

Choosing

It’s open enrollment season, that time of year when we must choose between an HMO and a PPO, a CDHP and HDHP, an FSA or HSA. If that has you feeling a little ill, you’re not alone.

Choosing a plan from the impossible health care mazeHow one health care journalist chose his plan. Hint: it was trickyEven HR struggles to keep upGlossary

Using

America’s health care system is chronically complicated — and some patients are being hit with “surprise billing.’’

Ending surprise billing: A moral test for physiciansNow that you have insurance, how do you use it?On the front line of the Health Care For All HelpLineCutting through the clutter on surprise billingReaders share their adventures in the health care maze

Losing

While the economy is seemingly buzzing along, many Americans are losing their health insurance — and their wallets. Politics and unaffordable care are forcing Americans into medical bankruptcy.

Getting sick and going brokeWhy are so many children losing health care? Yes, politicsThe perils of a patchwork systemLetters: Surprise billing is our health care system’s moral failing

Prognosis

Policy makers must find consensus on meaningful reforms to America’s health care system. In the final installment of a four-part weekly series, Globe Opinion offers prognoses for the future of health care.

We need a national conversation about our health care prioritiesWhat the American health care system could — and should — be after January 20, 2021The future of health care for patients — and providers — is value, not volumeHealth care should be structured around how patients experience itThe future of health care? Affordability and inclusiveness