First Aid Kit Archive • An Arm And a Leg

First Aid Kit

Our newsletter sums up and shares the practical lessons we’ve learned about surviving the health care system, financially.

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Navigating Insurance

November 16, 2021

Avoiding crappy health insurance

To identify the lousiest plans, run two scenarios.

The Big Picture

November 9, 2021

Introducing First Aid Kit: A financial survival guide to health care

We live in hell. Who wants some burn cream?

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For topic-specific deep dives and recommended reading, check out our Starter Packs or use the search bar below to explore our site.

More of our reporting

Starter Packs

Jumping off points: Our best episodes and our best answers to some big questions.

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Tell me a story about someone being awesome

It takes skills, patience, and guts to take on the health care system. We could all use a little inspiration.

Help! I’m in collections for medical debt.

So, a debt collector is chasing you over a medical bill. Here's what we've learned about what to do if you're facing debt collection.

How to wipe out your medical bill with charity care

Our guide to an under-the-radar but essential resource for wiping out medical debt.

How do I shop for health insurance?

Picking a health insurance plan can be super confusing. Here's our best advice.

Help! I’m stuck with a gigantic medical bill.

Don't freak out. We've laid out tips to help you manage your medical bills.

See All Our Starter Packs

If you don't know where to start or are just getting to know us, we recommend you start here.

Podcast Episodes

Our show about why health care costs so freaking much, and what we can (maybe) do about it.

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How to Fight a Health Insurance Denial With a Little-Known Tool (from ProPublica’s Paper Trail)

Remember these words: external review — a powerful and too-little-known insurance appeal.

The Prescription Drug Playbook (Full Version)

The best advice we've heard about what to do when you can't afford your meds (from 2025)

The Chatbot Will See You Now: Big Tech In Therapy (from Organized Money)

The mental health middlemen selling your data, and one state’s solution (From "Organized Money")

The Supreme Court case that could slow generic drugs

The Supreme Court hears a case about "skinny labels" — a legal carveout used by generic drugmakers — that has major stakes for patients.

Why drugs cost so much, 101: Medicine monopolies

How a street-smart patent lawyer helped shape a grand bargain between brand-name and generic drug companies — and the unforeseen consequences he's determined to fix.

See the Episode Archive

One of the most enraging, terrifying, depressing parts of American life made entertaining, empowering, and useful.