This week we cover topics from watching Hospital Bills and how to save money to news of Wilderness survival and new policy, record-breaking hunts to mythbusting jellyfish. Real-life stories that could save your life or keep money in your wallet. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka ‘BEC’ and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News!

How to Save Money on Hospital and Insurance Bills — Even When You're Fully Covered

When you're diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, the last thing you want to worry about is money. But between insurance coverage, hospital billing departments, and ongoing treatments, out-of-pocket costs can spiral — even when you're fully insured.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with cancer. I underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 8 weeks of daily radiation. While my insurance was a blessing, I quickly discovered that being covered doesn’t mean you’re not vulnerable to costly billing mistakes — ones that could cost you thousands if you're not paying attention.

Why You Must Compare Your EOB With Hospital Bills — Line by Line

One of the most important lessons I learned: Always compare your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider to the bill from your hospital or healthcare provider.

Here’s what happened to me:

Even after I had hit my out-of-pocket deductible, I noticed monthly hospital charges averaging around $900 in my online billing portal.
After comparing the EOB to the hospital bills, I saw that some treatments weren’t even being submitted to my insurance company.
Instead, I was being billed directly — as if I had no coverage at all.

I called my insurance company, who confirmed they hadn’t received claims for those charges. Then I contacted the hospital’s billing department and was told each time that it was a “mistake,” and they would resubmit.

Had I not caught this, I could have paid over $10,000 in wrongful charges — with little chance of a refund later.

Pro Tip: Don’t Automatically Pay Medical Bills Without Verifying

It’s tempting to just pay the bill and be done with it — especially when you're overwhelmed and just trying to get through treatments. But trust your gut.

Instead:

Wait to receive your EOB before paying anything.
Compare dates, services, and costs between the EOB and your hospital bill.
Call your insurance company if anything doesn’t line up.
Then, contact your healthcare provider’s billing department and request that charges be re-submitted if needed.

Always Ask: "Has This Been Submitted to My Insurance?"

Make it your mantra when speaking to any healthcare billing department:
“Has this claim been submitted to my insurance company?”

If they say no or “it was a mistake,” ask for proof of submission and a timeline. It can take weeks or even months for a corrected bill to show up — so document every call and keep all emails or confirmations.

Human Error and AI Mistakes Are More Common Than You Think

In today’s digital world, hospitals and insurers often rely on automated systems for billing. But that doesn’t mean the process is error-free. In fact, it may be worse.

You might encounter:

Incorrect coding of procedures
Claims not submitted at all
Duplicate billing
Coverage miscalculations

That’s why your personal oversight is essential — especially when you're dealing with ongoing care.

How to Protect Yourself from Costly Healthcare Billing Mistakes

Here’s a quick checklist to help you save money and protect your finances during a medical journey:

Know your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum
Track every treatment and procedure in a personal log
Check your EOBs monthly and match them with bills
Dispute errors right away — don’t wait
Keep records of every call and conversation
Ask for itemized bills from providers
Request written confirmation of any billing correction

Final Thoughts: Be Your Own Advocate — It Could Save You Thousands

Between AI systems, human error, and overloaded billing departments, even those with full insurance coverage can fall into financial traps. The stress of calling weekly to fix these issues took a toll, but in the end, it saved me thousands of dollars.

The bottom line?
Be proactive. Be persistent. And never assume a bill is correct just because it looks official.

If you're navigating medical bills or complex treatments, you're not alone. If I hadn’t spoken up, I would have unknowingly overpaid by thousands. Don’t be afraid to double-check, question, and challenge what doesn’t look right.

Your health matters — and so does your wallet.

14-Year-Old Girl Makes Pennsylvania Hunting History with Record Bull Elk

We’ve got a record-breaking hunting story that’s as heartwarming as it is impressive. According to Outdoor Life, fourteen-year-old Samantha Bartlett just became the youngest hunter ever to tag a bull elk in Pennsylvania — and she did it with a single, well-placed shot from her crossbow!

It all happened in the early morning hours of September 16, deep in the mountains of north-central PA. Samantha and her dad, Noel, had already spent three long days hiking and hunting, holding out for the right bull. On the fourth day, it finally came together. After hearing two bulls fighting at dawn, Samantha and her guide crept through tall grass and waited. With a few cow calls, a massive bull came trotting in.

At 40 yards, Samantha took the shot — and nailed it. The 6x7 bull elk went down within 100 yards, and the rest is history. The animal was estimated at 800 pounds, and the rack green-scored at 310 inches.

Getting the bull out? That was a whole different story. The team dragged it downhill for four hours — no vehicles allowed — proving once again that the hunt doesn’t end with the shot.

Her bull was officially checked at a game station in Benezette, where state officials confirmed Samantha's place in the record books.

This big moment was made possible by a lucky draw for a limited bull elk tag — and by a new law allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania for the first time, giving young hunters like Samantha more opportunities.

What’s next for her? She’s got her sights set on the “Pennsylvania Quad Trophy” — elk, black bear, turkey, and deer — all with a crossbow. Talk about ambitious!

Moral of the story? Don't underestimate a determined young hunter and her crossbow.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/youngest-hunter-bull-elk-pennsylvania/

14-Year-Old Becomes the Youngest Hunter to Ever Tag a Bull Elk in Pennsylvania

Military Training Helps Missing Hunter Survive Winter Storm in Colorado Backcountry

According to Summit Daily, A 57-year-old hunter from Illinois is safe today, thanks to a combination of military experience, calm thinking, and solid preparation — after spending two freezing nights alone in the rugged backcountry of Jackson County, Colorado.

On Monday, Sept. 22, the man became separated from his group near the Three Sisters Trailhead in the Rawah Wilderness. The last anyone heard from him was a text saying he was lost, just before 3:30 p.m. His phone later went dark, and with winter weather rolling in, it was too dangerous for search teams to head out that night.

By the next day, over 20 agencies — including Search and Rescue teams, deputies, and wildlife officials — launched a full-scale search in snowy, cold, and windy conditions. Air support was grounded, and rescuers battled through the backcountry on foot.

Despite the brutal storm and tough terrain, the search effort continued into a second day. Then, on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 24, hope came from above: the hunter was able to place several 911 calls, helping rescuers pinpoint his location.

At around 1 p.m., air support spotted him — alive and in good health.

So how did he make it? The hunter credited his survival to his military training, staying calm, building a fire, and using his sleeping bag and layers to stay warm.

A big thanks goes out to Jackson and Grand County responders, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, search dog teams, and all others who helped pull off this dramatic rescue.

Moral of the story? Being prepared can make all the difference — especially when Mother Nature has other plans.
Reference: https://www.summitdaily.com/news/missing-hunters-military-experience-and-supplies-keep-him-alive-in-jackson-county-backcountry/

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