This means that patients who pay for a percentage of their healthcare instead of a co-pay may end up spending hundreds of dollars more for a certain procedure even though the facilities may only be a few minutes apart.

Change: healthcare looked at claims data from May 2010 to May 2011 for 82,000 employees of small businesses to determine price differences for several procedures: MRI’s, CT scans, ultrasounds and PET scans. For example, for a pelvic CT scan performed in one small southwest town, it was found a person could pay as little as $230 for the procedure to as much as $1,800. For a brain MRI in a town in the Northeast, a person could pay $1,540 – or $3,500.

The end result is that it is always important to ask questions about any procedures a patient is contemplating, not only for medical reasons but economic reasons also.

Anthem’s benefits can be accessed no matter where you travel within the United States by utilizing the Blue Cross and Blue Shield unique travel feature. Simply call the convenient number listed on the back of your identification card.

Humana individual products are one of of the few that allow transfer of plans to other states if you move, in school, etc. with no changes in benefit structures. No reapplying for coverage is needed. Simply notify your agent or customer service.

Dig it! … Gardening gives you a triple dose of wellness. It lowers your stress levels, builds strong bones, and increases physical activity. Plus, you’ll enjoy nutrient-rich fresh-from-the-dirt produce.

Take Time Off … Vacations just don’t up the summer’s fun factor; They’re good for your health. Studies show that people who take regular vacations have lower levels of depression, lower blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol — and they live longer.

Summer Safety Tips

For a series of podcastsfrom the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on keeping you and your family safe, including fireworks and water safety tips, visit http://cdc.gov/injury/podcast.html.

Child Health Tips

• Be a good leader … Be a role model for good health.
• To keep weight under control, create healthier meals together as a family.
• Teach the coolness of kneepads. Encourage your children to wear protective equipment early in life.
• Encourage your children to go out for team sports. Encourage physical activity on the team level.
• Don’t push kids to do every sport. Overuse injury is very real. If a child is complaining about aches and pains, take time to seriously listen.