Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Guest Author
Published: August 10, 2018
Contributed by Brooke Faulkner- Guest Contributor
Since our body changes with age, we must change the way we treat it. As a woman approaching or in the midst of her midlife years, you may be at a loss of how to handle your newer healthcare concerns. Healthcare is expensive! With the newest changes to the American system, it’s OK to be a bit unsure of what your options will be in 2019. So let’s get down to business: What are the most affordable options for midlife changes in a woman’s life?
Choosing the Right Insurance
Whether you receive health insurance through an employer or are paying for it completely out of pocket, you should first research the benefits. Immunization coverage, for instance, is offered by every insurance company in the marketplace. Similarly, emergency services, hospitalization, and prescription drugs also make the list.
Regarding bodily changes midlife women go through, take heart in knowing that insurance companies are required to cover urinary tract infections (UTIs) without copayment or coinsurance. This is helpful, especially considering the frequency of UTIs in midlife women. The more obvious health change in middle-aged women is menopause, which can lead to a number of surprising medical problems. Many of those are covered by insurance. But seeing as the treatments are extremely expensive, this may cost you a lot in the long run on the copayments with the insurance you choose.
If you’re dealing with abnormally large health costs and are obtaining insurance privately, consider changing that. Applying through the ACA is what some have found to be their best option. An added benefit of going through the ACA marketplace is that the network of doctors involved with the ACA have provided a way for funding viable integration between patient’s trusted mental health professionals and their physical health doctors so your counselor and your doctor may be able to more easily collaborate. Price comparisons must go beyond the copay options however – research the out-of-pocket maximums carefully if you are spending an inordinate amount of time and money in professional care facilities.
Medicaid
Do not be ashamed to use Medicaid if you need to. It’s there for a reason, and just because you use it now does not mean you will have to forever. Take care of yourself in whatever means you can. If private insurance is looking completely out of your means, then maybe you should check to see if you qualify.
It comes down to your income and family size, and you can read more about that here. But the relevant question to this article is what advantages can a middle aged woman take? Well, a lot of it comes down to the state you’re in. Some of these state-dependent benefits of Medicaid include prescription medication, hearing and dental services, occupational therapy, and eyeglasses. These are all specifics that tend to begin affecting people in their mid-life years. If you qualify for it but are unsure about whether or not you want to take it for whatever reason, you’ll need to look into the specifics.
Other
Starting 2019, health insurance will no longer be mandatory. This seems good to some, but dreadful to others. However, you may not have to let lack of insurance stop you from obtaining financial help post-surgery. There are understanding organizations and nonprofits that are willing to help you from falling into terrible bankruptcy scares so easily. Some of them are simply loan companies, but some of them are created with people like yourself in mind for philanthropic purposes.
You may also want to consider switching your one-off medical help to a different source of help. Family nurse practitioners (commonly referred to as FNPs) usually cost less than a doctor and in many cases are equally capable of performing primary care tasks which doctors are commonly trusted with. When you’re looking outside the normal or recommended pathways for medical help however, ensure that the sources you go to are legal, professionally qualified, and safe.
It’s up to you to do the proper research and make the most informed decisions you can. While it’s important to be upfront with your physician about even the most embarrassing health issues, it’s not a bad to do your own research to weigh your options and all of their costs as well. If one medical professional recommends a seemingly sketchy or dangerous procedure, don’t be afraid to question that and look into all of your options. Just because you aren’t a doctor doesn’t mean you can’t make important decisions as long as you take into consideration the viewpoint of experts.
Author Bio: Brooke Faulkner is a mother of two and animal lover from Portland, Oregon.
The views expressed herein this article, written by a guest contributor, do not necessarily represent those of the Red Hot Mamas organization. The content is for informational purposes and should not substitute the advice of your doctor.
