Take Care

In this episode of the Take Care podcast, Melody Mulaik sits with John Hennessy, an Associate Principal at Payer Sciences , to unpack one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of modern healthcare: how patients actually access care once it’s been prescribed. From insurance plan documents to prior authorizations, GLP-1 coverage debates, and oncology drug access, this conversation pulls back t...

Running out of medication is stressful enough. Finding out the pharmacy doesn’t even have it in stock adds another layer of frustration. In this episode of Take Care Together , Melody Mulaik and Ashley share a real-life experience of navigating prescription drug shortages after Ashley’s move across states and transition to a new healthcare team. What started as a simple refill request for ADHD med...

Why does your doctor sometimes refuse to refill a medication unless you schedule an appointment first? It can feel frustrating, especially when you’ve been taking the same prescription for years without any problems. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik explains the real reasons healthcare providers often require follow-up visits before approving medication refills. From monitoring blood p...

When a loved one comes home from the hospital, many families suddenly hear terms like “home health,” “physical therapy,” or “homebound” and wonder what it all actually means. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik breaks down what home health care really is, who qualifies for it, what services are included, and why it can be such an important support system for patients and caregivers alike....

When a loved one is facing a serious illness, families are often introduced to terms like “palliative care” and “hospice care.” While these two types of care share similar goals, they serve different purposes and are used at different stages of a patient’s journey. In this episode of Take Care, Melody shares her family’s personal experience navigating care decisions for her 91-year-old father-in-l...

What if doctors could see exactly where cancer is located and then deliver treatment directly to those cancer cells with precision? In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik is joined by Dr. Brandon Mancini, Medical Director at BAMF Health , to discuss theranostics: an innovative and rapidly growing approach to cancer treatment that combines diagnostics and therapy into one personalized treatme...

Moving to a new city comes with a long to-do list, but finding the right doctor shouldn’t be left to chance. In this episode of Take Care Together , Melody Mulaik and Ashley talk through the real-life process of relocating and navigating healthcare in an unfamiliar place. From finding in-network providers to managing prescriptions across state lines, they break down what you actually need to do be...

What if some of the treatments you need… don’t require surgery at all? In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik sits down with Dr. Matthew Hawkins , a board-certified interventional radiologist, to explore a powerful yet often overlooked field in medicine. Interventional radiology uses imaging modalities such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI to perform procedures inside the body with f...

Choosing the right doctor for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent, but how do you actually know who to trust? In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik sits down with Dr. Robert Harrison, a board-certified pediatrician and infectious disease specialist, to break down how to choose a pediatrician and what parents should really look for beyond just convenienc...

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are thrown into a world they were never prepared for. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik sits down with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree , author of The Cancer Parents Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You , to uncover what truly happens beyond the hospital walls. Laura shares her personal journey as a parent navigating her chi...

Breast imaging can feel confusing… but understanding it could save your life. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik sits down with Dr. Dana Smetherman , CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), to break down what radiologists actually do and why imaging plays a critical role in early detection, especially for breast cancer. From mammograms and MRIs to dense breast tissue and insuranc...

Medical imaging plays a critical role in diagnosing injuries, detecting disease, and guiding treatment decisions. Yet many patients feel confused about what happens during imaging tests and who is actually involved in their care. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik is joined by Jason Newmark , Executive Director of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) . Jason explains the...

When a loved one is hospitalized, caregivers often face the question: ‘What happens next?’ In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik shares her experience helping her 90-year-old mother transition from the hospital to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility. Melody explains key steps caregivers should know, including Medicare’s ‘three-day hospital stay rule’, the role of hospital case mana...

How do you know if a hospital or doctor is actually “good”? In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik answers a listener's question about where to find trustworthy information when choosing a provider or hospital. With so many ratings, reviews, and opinions online, it can feel overwhelming. This episode breaks down the difference between official quality data, independent rankings, and pat...

When does it make sense to pay out of pocket for healthcare instead of using insurance? In this episode of the Take Care podcast, Melody Mulaik answers David’s question about the pros and cons of self-pay (cash pay) versus using health insurance for medical services. She walks through real-life situations where paying out of pocket may cost less, when insurance is clearly the better choice, and th...

Get a second opinion without the stress spiral. In this episode of Take Care , Melody Mulaik shares a simple 3-step process you can use to advocate for yourself or a loved one. What You’ll Learn: The 3-step framework for getting a second opinion How to talk to your current physician openly and productively How to keep continuity of care so nothing falls through the cracks A real-world example from...

Why does your doctor bill one amount, but your insurance pays something completely different? In this episode of the Take Care podcast, Melody Mulaik breaks down one of the most confusing parts of healthcare billing and explains why the number on your bill is rarely the number your physician receives. Using a real listener question, this episode walks through how insurance contracts work, how in-n...

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 Mulaik explains why lab work is often billed separately from your doctor’s visit, how insurance companies classify lab services, and why those charges may apply to your deductible instead of your copay. You’ll learn the difference between preventive and diagn...

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 Melody Mulaik answers a listener’s question: Where should I get my prescriptions filled? Melody walks through the pros and cons of local pharmacies versus mail-order prescriptions and explains how to decide based on ur...

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 Melody Mulaik demystifies the process of "physician dismissal." You’ll learn why this happens, what legal protections you have against patient abandonment, and most importantly, the immediate steps you need to take...

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 than just paperwork; it’s a powerful tool for patient empowerment.  From your right to access your own records to how you can dictate who sees your informati...

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.  But with new technology comes new questions: Is my insurance going to pay for this? Is that TikTok ad for medication legitimate?  Melody and Ashley...

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 every charge, so you only pay what you truly owe. Learn the critical difference between the communication that says "This is not a bill" and the fin...

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 deserve. Are you struggling to find a specialist without a three-month wait? Does your doctor rush you and type on a computer instead of listening? Are you sick...

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). Learn the critical differences in funding, ownership, portability, and rollover rules so you can confidently set aside pre-tax dollars to cover your famil...