Seven Surprising Things that Aren’t Covered by Your Health Insurance Plan
Almost all Americans have health insurance nowadays, whether it’s through an employer-sponsored plan at their workplace or Medicare after retirement, but not everybody has a clear idea about what medical services their insurance covers.
It’s important to know the details of your health insurance plan so you don’t get blindsided by a large medical bill that your insurance company refuses to cover. Here are the 7 medical procedures that you probably shouldn’t expect your health insurance to pay for.
Travel vaccination
Health insurance plans do cover basic health vaccinations such as a flu or tetanus shot but when it comes to preventive vaccines that aren’t considered necessary, you may have to pay out of your own pocket. For example, if you’re applying for a visa to travel abroad, you may need unusual vaccines against diseases such as yellow fever or typhoid which aren’t covered by most insurance plans like Medicare.
Alternative Therapies
If you want to visit the chiropractor or get a massage therapy, you may want to check with your insurance company in advance to find out if they provide coverage for it. Chances are that if you’re under the age of 65, your health insurance will not cover alternative therapies such as acupuncture and message therapy. Your state may allow coverage for chiropractic care depending on how it defines the necessary benefits for healthcare packages.
If you injure yourself in an accident and the treatment requires chiropractic care, then your company will have to pay for it. Some companies do cover alternative therapies but they limit the number of annual clinical visits.
Cosmetic Procedures
As much as we all wish that medical insurance covered cosmetic surgery, you will definitely have to pay for such procedures out of your own pocket unless they are classified as a medical necessity. A face lift or liposuction isn’t considered as a medical necessity whereas reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy is.
Care for Elders in Nursing Homes
When it comes to nursing home care for elders, not all commercial health insurance companies cover the costs associated with it – but some, like Medicaid, do. Nursing homes fall under long-term care benefits which is why most insurance plans don’t provide coverage for it.
However, if an insured requires short-term nursing home care due to an injury, it is most likely to be paid for by their insurance company under their skilled nursing benefit.
Dental Care
One of the biggest healthcare costs not covered by commercial insurance plans is dental care. If you want your trip to the dentist’s office paid by the insurance company, you will need to buy a separate plan for it. The same principle applies to procedures related to hearing and vision.
These separate plans aren’t often regulated by the Affordable Care Act which means that there are no requirements for which benefits need to be covered or what costs need to be paid out of pocket. Even though dental procedures aren’t cheap, the insurance for them is even more expensive which is why most people consider it unnecessary.
Preventative Care
Various screenings and tests such as colonoscopies, mammograms and cholesterol tests come under the umbrella term ‘preventive care’ – but not all of them are covered by commercial insurance plans.
Depending on the recommended preventive care benefits determined by respective government agencies, your insurer may or may not cover certain preventive tests. For example, cholesterol screenings and monograms are often covered, other unnecessary screenings such as a vitamin D tests must be paid out of pocket.
Prescribed Medication
This one might shock some readers since prescribed medicines are covered by health insurance companies as an essential health benefit. However, once you get into the detail of the conditions that apply to the coverage of this benefit, you’ll be surprised to find out that not all medication is covered by your insurance plan.
Insurance companies are required to cover at least one medicine from each USP class which means that they have the power to choose which drugs they may or may not include in their plan. While most generic drugs are covered, some expensive ones are not.
More in Motivation
-
`
What Is Bruce Willis’s Net Worth? Get the Inside Scoop Here!
Bruce Willis, the action hero who has saved the day countless times on screen, has built a legendary career. But how...
May 11, 2024 -
`
How to Sleep with Fluid in Lungs – Expert Tips
Living with fluid in your lungs can turn nighttime into a challenging experience, but with the right strategies, you can reclaim...
April 30, 2024 -
`
All About Bench Press Workouts
When discussing strength training, particularly in terms of building an impressive chest and strong arms, the bench press often steals the...
April 24, 2024 -
`
Do Muscle Relaxers Show Up On A Drug Test? Here’s What You Need to Know
When you are gearing up for a drug test, be it for employment, sports, or any other reason, you might find...
April 16, 2024 -
`
Fashionista Suri Cruise Leaves NYC With Mom Katie Holmes for the Holiday Weekend
Suri Cruise and her mom Katie Holmes were seen leaving New York City for the holiday weekend, marking yet another adventure...
April 10, 2024 -
`
Medicare Advantage Nightmares: The Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans
Exploring the confusing maze of Medicare options can be daunting, especially when it comes to Medicare Advantage Plans. Why? Because they...
April 1, 2024 -
`
5 Best Resistance Band Exercises for Upper & Lower Body Strength
Resistance bands are not just colorful accessories in your workout gear. They are the unsung heroes of fitness tools that can...
March 26, 2024 -
`
Big News for Maryland Residents: Health Insurance for All!
Imagine living in Maryland and needing medical care. But since you don’t have health insurance, how can you afford those massive...
March 18, 2024 -
`
Why Women Might Benefit More From Exercise Than Men
For years, the mantra for staying healthy has been clear: get moving. And while the benefits of exercise are undeniable for...
March 12, 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login