Self-Care and Coverage: The Importance of Health Insurance During National Wellness Month
August is National Wellness Month. It is a fairly new recognized national awareness, only starting in 2018. The focus is on self-care, managing stress and getting into healthy routines. So many things can be put into this category, like, giving yourself ten minutes of quiet time before bed to reflect on the day, or treating yourself to your favorite coffee before work starts, or maybe, it would include taking a walk in your favorite park once a week. Whatever your source of destressing, or taking care of yourself is, you should also focus on making sure you have the right health insurance too!
You might think these two things are far-fetched to be included together. But in fact, it’s just the opposite! People who have health insurance are more apt to take care of themselves when it’s time for regular check ups and preventative care. Having a health care plan in place allows you to get checked out when things come up that are different for your body. Whether it be a spot you see on your skin, a lump in your breast, unusual weight gain/loss, or maybe you trip and hurt your knee. Are you going to go to the doctor for any of these things if you don’t have insurance? Probably not – or, at least not right away. This leaves you with ailments or injuries going for long periods of time with no treatment. We don’t have to be doctors to know that leaving anything untreated is going to turn into more problems down the road, incorrect healing of injuries, and finally, even more medical bills to get that situation taken care of.
Getting to know your primary care physician is a great way to take better care of yourself, and lower stress. Going to your preventative appointments once or twice a year, like you’re supposed to, will allow for this to happen. You may think that will never happen, seeing someone just once or twice per year. But trust me, in my own experience, if you have the right doctor, and continue your preventative treatment like you should, then this naturally happens. I have been seeing my primary doctor for about 13 years now. She knows all about my family, my career, struggles I’ve had, and she even knows what car I drive because we passed each other on the road once, and she recognized me!
So, what’s the benefit of knowing your doctor so well? It does a few things, actually. First of all, it creates a comfortable space for you to talk about whatever you have going on, physically, mentally and emotionally. You’ve built trust with this medical professional and you are confident in the treatment regimens they suggest. Secondly, if you have a minor issue, like prescription adjustments or an ear infection, you are more likely to be able to just see the doctor virtually, saving you time and money. Third, you have someone reminding you when it’s time to come for your regular visits. Once you’re an established patient, you will be on the reminder list which has you receiving emails and/or text messages and phone calls reminding you when it’s time for you to come in for your preventative care. Above all else, having a primary care physician that you see regularly, gives you peace of mind. Should anything come up with your body, you know you have a place to go where someone has been caring for you for more than just 20 minutes. They’ve gotten a more extensive medical background and have followed your care long term. They will more easily be able to spot something out of the ordinary. They, like you, have gotten the time to know what kind of patient you are. If you’re not someone who usually complains, and now all of a sudden you’re making an appointment, or maybe multiple appointments, for something, they are going to listen and be willing to run tests and dive in, because it’s outside your normal nature.
Having a health insurance policy in place and going to your preventative appointments will have you catching major illnesses much earlier, allowing you to get the treatment you need so much sooner. I’d say that’s self-care in itself!
Just like getting to know your doctor, it’s important to get to know your health insurance policy. They are not all equal, and sometimes it takes some time to figure out what we actually need it to do. I’ve been a carrier of health insurance my whole life, and in my adult life, I’ve really narrowed down what I need it to do for me. I know where I need and want my monthly premiums to be, and I know what I’m willing to pay out of pocket, as far as co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance are concerned. After seeing the same doctor and going to all my preventative care like I should, I realize how important it is to have the correct network. Thankfully I’ve been lucky enough to never have to worry about a specific cancer center, or a hospital that has specific equipment to save my life – but I’ve used my health coverage enough, and I know all there is to know about my plan, that if that need should ever arise, I know I have all the flexibility I need to get the care I want and deserve. Eliminating that worry of “what if this or that happens” allows me to also eliminate the stress that comes with those thoughts.
Sometimes, having a health insurance advisor is just as important as having a primary care physician. I have gotten to know all of my clients, and oftentimes they call me to let me know about changes happening – like moving to a new city, or having me remind them about the deductible amount they chose. I’m sure you’re sitting there thinking again, how does this pertain to self-care? Again, having someone that knows the situations you’re going through will allow you to get a solid plan in place for how you will care for yourself. Maybe you need to switch coverages. Maybe you need a different network to get in with that specialist you really want to go to. Maybe you need to change your deductible amount because you have something going on that you’re afraid might turn into surgery or lengthy treatment. Maybe you need to just change your monthly premium amount because your income has changed. There are so many things that happen in our lives each year! Health insurance changes each year, too! Having a dedicated health insurance advisor allows you to build trust and gives you a professional to evaluate your situation and decide together, if a change is necessary now or if waiting is better for you. Sometimes, if it’s not open enrollment, you may not have a choice but to wait. Having that health insurance advisor will allow you to get on their schedule at the time that change needs to happen. Together, you can come up with a plan for your care that you’re comfortable with.
Just like going for that weekly walk, or saying your 10 affirmations in the morning when you wake up, getting the correct health insurance in place is equally important. Giving you that peace of mind and care when you need it, will allow you to stay healthy longer and give you a much better shot at beating a more serious illness. If you don’t have a health insurance policy in place, or you’re not sure that the one you have is right for you, reach out to someone that can help. If you’d like to reach out to me, my services are free and I’d be happy to assist and guide you about what options you actually have. You’re welcome to make an appointment here.
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