Modern Healthcare has an article about the idea that having health insurance is a “proxy” for patients also saying they are in good health. A new study shows that a person’s race is a better indicator of health status. Gun control, mental health barriers, drug recall, and more are also in the news.
Modern Healthcare: Study Finds Health Insurance Isn’t a Good Sign of Health
According to recent research, a patient’s identification across racial and cultural boundaries may be a better predictor of their health than their insurance situation. Despite claims that access to commercial insurance operates as a great equalizer among patients, health disparities and access problems remain among those who obtain health insurance via their workplace, according to research released Monday from NORC at the University of Chicago.
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Top 5 questions to ask about a health insurance plan
If I’m healthy, will this health insurance plan help me save money?
Imagine that you and your family have a good health year under the plan you’re thinking about: You go to the doctor a few times for checkups, your partner fills a few prescriptions, and the kids go to urgent care a few times, but that’s about it.
If you don’t think you’ll use your plan that often, pay close attention to the costs that come up every month to see if you can save money. But keep in mind that you can’t plan for everything, so you should also think about how much it will cost to get care if (and when) you need it.
Will I be able to pay for this health insurance plan if I get sick?
Now imagine that you use your plan a lot: you get an infection and have to stay in the hospital for a few days, your partner’s list of prescriptions grows, your kids break a few bones at practice on top of getting strep in the fall, and more.
It’s hard to know when something like this will happen, so you should make sure your plan makes care affordable if you need it. In the end, you’ll want to find a good balance between expenses you can plan for (like monthly premiums, deductibles, and the out-of-pocket maximum) and ones you can’t (like copays or coinsurance you pay only when you need care).
Does this plan cover my doctor’s?
Health insurance companies work with different doctors and clinics to help you get the best deal on your care.
You’ll save money if you get care from a person or place that your plan covers. On the other hand, if you get care somewhere else, your health plan may pay less, which will leave you with bigger bills. That’s why you should make sure the health insurance plan you’re thinking about covers the doctors and clinics you want to go to.
If I get sick, will this plan make it easy for me to get care?
It’s never fun to wake up with a sore throat or a sinus infection. When it happens, you want to feel better and get help as soon as possible.
Everyone gets sick sometimes, so before you get sick, think about how easy it is to get covered care with your plan. With this information in mind, you’ll know where to go and what to do when you first start to feel sick.
