Your health: Getting a handle on health costs

Estimating costs

There is a new website launched by a nonprofit consumer group to help patients get cost estimates by ZIP code before they set foot into a hospital or dentist's office.

The useful site will provide estimates for several medical and dental procedures, what insurers will pay and what out-of-pocket costs may be.

The Consumer Cost Lookup site, fairhealthconsumer.org, offers cost information for a range of medical services, from mental health counseling to common surgeries.

Just type in a ZIP code and you can request cost estimates on a dental procedure such as getting a silver filling.

For the Arlington Heights ZIP code of 60006, the site estimated the charge at $181, with an estimated reimbursement of $144.80 and an out-of-pocket patient cost of $36.20.

For a removal of a gallbladder using an endoscope for the Wood Dale ZIP code of 60191, the Cost Lookup site estimates a charge of $4,092.94, with an insurance reimbursement at $2,865.06 and out-of-pocket cost of $1,227.88.

It's important to note the site does not give doctor or facility-specific estimates.

Facts about fats

Are you prepared to temper your tallow consumption and replace shortening with safflower oil?

The federal government's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge us to reduce our intake of “solid fats” such as saturated and trans fats by replacing them with more healthful, unsaturated fats and oils.

The former are believed to increase risk of certain chronic conditions and diseases, while the latter may help protect against them.

Here are some facts and figures to consider:

Ÿ 50: How many grams of fat most of us can include in our daily diet.

Ÿ 11: The number of grams of fat in 1 tablespoon of butter.

Ÿ 300: How many milligrams of cholesterol most people can safely consume each day.

Ÿ 212: The number of milligrams of cholesterol in an egg yolk.

Get ready to lose it

Fans of the popular TV show “The Biggest Loser” get ready. An open casting call will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Chicago Home Fitness, 2070 North Clybourn Ave., in Chicago.

Casting directors and former contestants will be on hand. The show is looking to cast teams of two and singles. Potential contestants are encouraged to try out even if they don't have a partner.