The Ins and Outs of Health Insurance
We live in a world full of medical wonders. There are more tests, treatments, and diagnostic tools available than ever before. People are living longer and medical advancements are made every day to help put an end to disease. However, people fail to take advantage of modern medical advancement. It is important to be your own advocate and to ensure you are taking care of your body, no one will do it for you.
Corporate Medical Insurance
The American healthcare system is complicated and can be difficult to understand, but it is critical that we take the time to ensure that we have health insurance and the right plan. Most American’s get health insurance from an employer. It is part of a lot of employment benefit packages and we must make sure we take advantage of this benefit. Do not wait until an injury or until you get sick to do your research. Understanding your healthcare plan and options early will only be a benefit. Many companies offer a number of different levels of coverage. The differences in these plans can be minor or can be major. For example, a less expensive plan could potentially have a much higher out of pocket expense and yearly deductible that could end up costing you more money in the long run. So how do we know we are getting the best plan for our needs? Like many things, it is impossible to be 100% sure you are getting the best option for yourself, but it is possible to make a highly educated guess. People with a family history of illness, most likely will benefit from a more comprehensive plan. To contrast this someone in their mid- 20’s with no family history of illness might not need a top of line, high priced plan. No matter what plan you choose, what is most important is having insurance.
Insurance not Through an Employer
For people who work at a small business, are self-employed, or work for a company that does not provide insurance, it is extremely important that you find a way to get proper health care. There are a number of options open for you based on your field of work. Are you a member of an employment union? If so, you might have some benefit packages available to you. If you are unsure, contact a union representative and ask. Worst case scenario is your union might not have a group plan, if so ask the representative for suggestions or what other union members do, you really have nothing to lose by doing so. Another option available is group insurance through a local chamber of commerce. These business groups are a great resource for help on a number of things. The purpose of a chamber of commerce is to inspire and promote good business practices among all companies big and small. Many small companies who belong to a chamber of commerce band together to get group insurance policies for themselves and their employees. It may be possible for you to become part of this group and gain medical benefits this way. Finally there are private plans available for purchase and government health care plans. These plans can be very beneficial, and provide another way to acquire health insurance. These plans can be simple or complex based on who you buy from but they all have the benefit of providing your health insurance.
Preventative Care
Did you know that your health insurance likely covers a yearly physical at no charge or little charge to you? Many people do not take full advantage of this benefit. The reason most insurance companies want you to see a doctor yearly is it likely saves them money in the long run. Preventative care is not expensive for insurance companies and it often catches illness early when it is easier, and for the benefit of health care provides, less costly to treat. This is a benefit to you and your insurance company. Being healthy and remaining healthy can take effort. If you have a family history of illness it is better to be monitored by a doctor and this can allow for early preventative treatment. The best way to prevent genetic illness or disease that is more common in your family is to monitor certain healthcare metrics and react to early change. Partner with your doctor and learn what you need to look out for symptom wise. People are saved all the time by asking the doctor the right questions or simply having a yearly physical. You never know what the doctor will find.
Being your Own Advocate
You cannot expect some else to take care of you and you must be your own healthcare advocate. This starts by knowing your own family medical history. Have several your family members fallen victim to the same illness? Have several your family members had heart attacks? Knowing the answers to these questions and other questions like these can significantly help your doctor care for you. Prior family illness allows physicians to monitor certain vital signs or organs to help prevent these same illnesses from affecting you. If you are not sure about your family medical history, ask. Your parents or relatives can provide you with some insight. Knowledge is power and understanding your history is the first step in ensuring you remain healthy. Once you learn your medical history talk with your doctor about it. Should you see a specialist to monitor any potential conditions? Do you need a genetic test to identify if you have a genetic disease? Asking these question and pushing to for answers, in a polite and proper way, can often lead to better care. By partnering with your doctor and being informed about your medical history you put yourself in a position to be treated for any condition early and may help to slow the progression of any incurable disease.
Many people fear the costs of health care and are intimidated by all the different options out there. Do not let this fear stop you from caring for yourself. Do the research and get the plan that best fits your needs. See your doctor annually and understand your family history. Finally embrace preventative care and do not let the cost of medical treatment stop you from getting the care you need. In the long run it will be cheaper to pay for a few tests and catch an illness before it causes long term problems. Be healthy and take advantage of all the benefits that modern medicine provides.