The 2023 Open Enrollment Period is here and, with it, the unique opportunity for renewing, assessing, or upgrading your health insurance policy. But, as a woman, what should you be looking for in your next health or medical insurance plan?
While a lot depends on your personal circumstances, some must-haves should not be overlooked.
Let’s start with the ones below.
First Things First: Comparing Different Health and Medical Insurance Plans Online
The first step to finding adequate medical/health insurance plans is to compare different plans through specialized websites such as InsuranceMarket. These platforms allow you to compare plans, provider networks, deductibles, and features, and choose among certified insurance providers.
What’s more, comparing different plans is critical to add riders to match your medical needs and save on your annual premiums. But what should you look for in a comprehensive insurance plan? Below are some of the critical types of coverage worth investing in.
Maternity Insurance Benefits
If you are looking to start a family, making sure that your insurance cover provides maternity benefits is essential. As the cost of healthcare in the US continues to rise, new families face steep pregnancy and maternity expenses. For example, childbirth without insurance coverage can cost an average of $14,000 – or nearly $30,000 if you are looking to give birth in Alaska!
But while childbirth costs in the US are among the highest ones in the world, they can be considerably reduced with the right health insurance over add-ons. In particular, make sure that your plans will cover the expenses related to pregnancy, pregnancy-related complications, hospital expenses, and childbirth.
Coverage for Routine Checkups
Although it is crucial for your insurance plan to provide coverage for emergency healthcare services, choosing a plan that will help you minimize the costs of routine checkups is just as essential. In particular, women are recommended to undergo specific annual screening tests, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and cholesterol checkups.
If you are unsure about the types of tests you should undergo each year, consulting your healthcare provider can give you an idea of what health services your health insurance plan should cover.
Coverage for Specific Conditions
According to estimates by the Kaiser Family Foundation, around 10.3 million women in the US don’t have health insurance coverage. But while cost and inaccessibility of services remain significant barriers, it has never been more important for women to invest in a health insurance plan that provides coverage against women-specific conditions.
In particular, you’ll want your plan to cover the health services necessary to address chronic conditions (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease) and diseases that are more likely to affect women, such as diabetes and breast cancer.
Telemedicine Coverage
Telemedicine is revolutionizing the global healthcare industry and, while not all insurance providers cover telehealth services, some are now upgrading their policies to ensure that patients can access free or affordable virtual medicine services.
What’s more, as a woman looking for higher-quality healthcare services, telemedicine can offer many benefits, including greater privacy, affordability, and accessibility.
Coverage for Prescription Medicine
Whether you are currently dealing with a chronic condition or are at high risk for a certain disease, you should make sure that your insurance plan provides coverage for prescription medicines.
While you might still need to afford copays and deductibles, a well-rounded insurance plan can help you access the medicines and treatment needed without having to compromise between budget and health.
Mental Health Coverage
Women are naturally more prone to mental health disorders such as depression and are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety during their lifetime. These conditions can be debilitating and affect all aspects of your life, including personal relationships and career.
Choosing a health insurance plan that covers mental health services can help you establish an essential safety net and access mental health support when you need it the most.