This is to advise that although I received compensation for this post, the opinions contained within are my own.
With flu season upon us, and hard-to-describe cold-like symptoms afflicting many of us, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that I’d already selected my health care plan before I needed to go to the doctor last week. Wouldn’t you know it: Christmas Eve I started to get sick. Even though I was mentally ecstatic about the impending arrival of my second grandson, my physical well-being was upset by an aggressive bacterial onslaught. I’m traveling this Winter. So being away from home added another layer of insecurity to me not feeling well. Would my insurance cover my care? Like many, I worry about the financial burden of my health. I am probably typical in that I am looking to manage health care costs. I am also always looking for alternatives to improve healthy living because it seems that healthier things cost more. So this is my reminder to you that Open Enrollment continues until February 15, 2015.
A few weeks back I talked about the Cigna survey that shared how consumers view their health and wellness. The survey included the opinions of 1,847 insured women and men from across the nation who have health care coverage with many different carriers. It revealed the depth of insecurity many of us feel about illness possibly robbing us of our financial security. Who hasn’t heard of the long arm of the law, and families losing their savings and homes after a loved one falls ill. If we extrapolate from that survey, one key finding is that most of us are seeking a more holistic approach to life by which our physical, emotional and financial aspects of our well-being are in tune with each other. Like most things, these aspects are related. In my case, I was obliged to visit an Urgent Care physician. My insurance option covered out-of-pocket fees for that visit and was a God-send. Without it, I either would not have been seen or I would have had to pay out-of-pocket. But making an informed selection —having this option — as Cigna suggests, is another way to manage health care costs.
If you really want to understand your benefits, take a close look at the Cigna newsroom. I’m so glad I made my selection in early December. Even writing this post has helped me think more clearly about the pros and cons of the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act (ACA). We don’t all feel the same way about this legislation; but when we are sick we all want to feel better. The ACA now offers a modicum of health security to all citizens as a national health program.
Paula Penn-Nabrit says
Great &informative article. Thanks!
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks Paula for reading and commenting. I am about to read Atul Gawande’s book, Being Mortal. It’s linked in a weird way to decisions about insurance.