The Unblind Health blog
Plain-English guides to healthcare prices, billing, and coverage.
pricingSeptember 18, 2026
GLP-1 Savings Cards vs Self-Pay: What to CheckSavings cards and self-pay GLP-1 prices work differently. Compare insurance, manufacturer offers and deductible impact before choosing.coverageSeptember 17, 2026
Does Insurance Cover GLP-1s in 2026?GLP-1 coverage changed in 2026. See how private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge work before paying cash.pricingSeptember 16, 2026
LillyDirect vs NovoCare: GLP-1 Prices ComparedCompare LillyDirect and NovoCare self-pay GLP-1 options, current prices, insurance rules and the questions to ask before choosing.pricingSeptember 15, 2026
GLP-1 Cost Without Insurance: 2026 PricesCompare current self-pay prices for Foundayo, Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic and Mounjaro, plus what to check before paying cash.coverageSeptember 14, 2026
Health Insurance for Self-Employed PeopleSelf-employed health insurance: compare Marketplace coverage, subsidies, spouse plans, HSAs, and the tax deduction without getting lost in plan jargon.coverageSeptember 11, 2026
Short-Term Health Insurance: What to Check FirstShort-term health insurance can bridge a temporary coverage gap. See what it is, who uses it, what it may exclude, and what to check before buying.coverageSeptember 10, 2026
Catastrophic Health Insurance: Who Qualifies?Catastrophic health insurance can mean a lower premium and high deductible. See who qualifies, what it covers, and when Bronze or Silver may be better.coverageSeptember 9, 2026
How Much Does COBRA Cost?How much does COBRA cost? Learn why the premium can jump after job loss, how the 102% rule works, and what to ask before electing coverage.coverageSeptember 8, 2026
COBRA vs Marketplace: Which Is Cheaper?COBRA vs Marketplace after job loss: compare net premium, deductible progress, tax credits, networks, and timing before choosing coverage.coverageSeptember 4, 2026
Special Enrollment After Losing Health InsuranceLost health insurance? Compare the 60-day Marketplace window, 30-day employer-plan window, COBRA timing, documents, and coverage start dates.coverageSeptember 3, 2026
Health Insurance After Losing Your Job: Cost GuideHealth insurance after losing your job: compare Medicaid, spouse coverage, Marketplace plans, COBRA, and other options by total cost.billingSeptember 2, 2026
Good Faith Estimate: The $400 Medical Bill RuleGot a bill above your Good Faith Estimate? Check whether the federal $400 rule applies to you and what to do next.coverageAugust 31, 2026
Direct Primary Care + HSA in 2026: What ChangedDirect primary care can work with an HSA in 2026. Learn the new IRS rules, the $150/$300 limits, and what to check before joining a DPC practice.prescriptionsAugust 28, 2026
What Is a PBM? Why the Cheaper Drug Price Can Stay HiddenWhat is a PBM, and why can your insurance price be higher than cash? Learn how pharmacy benefit managers work and what to ask before paying.pricingAugust 17, 2026
How Much Does Blood Work Cost Without Insurance?Blood work without insurance can cost less than $30 for a basic test or several hundred dollars for a broad panel. Here's how to compare the exact same test across labs before you pay.pricingAugust 17, 2026
Why Your Copay Can Be Higher Than the Cash PriceA prescription can cost more through insurance than it does if you pay cash. Here's why the two prices come from different systems, and what to check before you hand over your insurance card.pricingAugust 15, 2026
The Walmart $4 Prescription List in 2026: What It Actually CoversWalmart's low-cost prescription program still starts at $4, but not every drug on the list is $4. Here's how to check the exact drug, strength, and quantity before assuming the price.pricingAugust 13, 2026
How Much Does an MRI Cost Without Insurance?A 2026 analysis of cash prices at 274 U.S. hospitals found the same brain MRI ranging from $406 to $14,681 — a 36x spread for the same billing code. Here's how to get a real, all-in estimate before you book.pricingAugust 11, 2026
Does Paying Cash Count Toward Your Deductible? The Tradeoff Nobody ExplainsPaying cash for healthcare may save you money today, but it may not count toward your insurance deductible. Here's how to compare cash prices with insurance before you choose.pricingAugust 9, 2026
Can You Pay Cash for a Prescription If You Have Insurance?Yes. You can ask a pharmacy what a prescription costs without using your insurance. But the lower price is not always the better choice once deductibles and plan rules are involved.billingAugust 6, 2026
How to Negotiate a Hospital Bill in 2026: A Practical GuideA step-by-step order to work through before paying a hospital bill: itemize it, check for surprise-billing protections, apply for financial assistance, and compare it against published prices.pricingAugust 3, 2026
How Prescription Drug Prices Are Set in 2026Why can the same prescription have different prices? How cash prices, insurance, PBMs, discount coupons, cost-plus pharmacies, and generic programs affect what you pay.pricingJuly 14, 2026
What Is a Hospital Chargemaster? (And Who Pays It)The internal price list behind almost every number on your bill. What's in it, why the prices are inflated, who actually pays them, and how to find the real price instead.billingJuly 10, 2026
How to Read a Hospital Bill (Line by Line)Your first bill is a summary, not the real thing. Here's how to get the itemized version, what every code means, and the four prices hiding behind one number.