Do you think you know enough about health insurance? Are you so confident that you think you’d ace a quiz debunking health insurance myths? If you think fertility treatments always increase costs — you may not know enough. There are several myths surrounding sex selection, genetic disease, and IVF.
Even if you are well-informed, there are several myths surrounding health insurance that misinform many. From out-of-pocket costs to coverage, the more you know, the better protection you get. There are many myths surrounding health insurance. So, it can be hard to browse through every single one of them. Read on to find out about some of the most common ones.
Fertility coverage is not essential
Even before you get pregnant, it’s essential to have coverage. You may think that you should wait till you’re ready to have a family. However, most fertility benefits take time to arrive. Some even have waiting periods. So, it’s crucial to ensure you have health coverage in advance.
If you have fertility issues, find out about advancements in reproductive technology. It’s a myth that most health insurance doesn’t cover treatments like IVF and egg donation. Ask your insurance company in advance to see what inclusions they offer. Some health plans even include things like a gender selection cost. Reproductive medicine and sperm samples don’t always get coverage — but they can. For example, in the United States, a doctor has to recommend genetic testing. It’s usually only eligible for coverage in this instance.
If you opt for family balancing, there’s a higher success rate to choose whether you have a little girl or boy. Many couples achieve this through a performed preimplantation of the embryo during in-vitro fertilization. Of course, some of the treatments offer this post-implantation as well. While gender selection is not always part of a health plan, treatment surrounding it can be. For example, you can get health insurance for genetic screening or embryo transfer.
Some health plans only cover particular options like sperm donation and embryo transfer. Others include a consultation with an embryologist or egg retrieval. If you think you may need this in the future, find out what the exclusions are before you pick your health fund. Remember to ask an insurer what fertility clinic is in your healthcare network.
Combined health insurance is best
Getting insurance as a couple is not always the better option — and it won’t lower your costs. While it is sometimes cheaper, this is another health insurance myth. It also depends on whether you pick private or public health insurance. In some places, your insurance costs are per person. If so, it doesn’t matter whether you have a single or combined policy.
If your insurance company charges per person, you pay more with combined insurance. For example, your partner may need health coverage for fertility treatments. If so, you will also have to pay a higher rate. If your partner suffers from an illness like muscular dystrophy, your rate will likely double. So, check all the details with your insurance company before selecting couples’ insurance.
You will never have to pay
The assumption that you never have to pay for medical costs is a surprising, but common myth. Because you pay premiums and file claims for treatments, you may think you’re in the clear. However, exclusions can be anything from admission fees to fertility clinic consultants.
Even if you have the best health insurance, you will have some out-of-pocket costs. If you see a specialist for a genetic disorder, you may have to pay extra. If you get more medication than your policy allows, you will have to pay for it. An insurer can limit the amount of money you can spend on a particular treatment as well. So, even if you have health coverage for it, it will depend on the total cost. Ask your insurance company about ambulance cover, specialists, and claim limits. Also, find out whether your health insurance covers health emergencies like COVID-19.
Group insurance is enough
So, you’re lucky enough to have group insurance and personal health coverage — good for you. Most people believe that just one or the other is enough. However, this is another common myth. Some group coverage is a great addition, so don’t avoid it altogether. It can be limiting, so make sure you know what you’re picking.
Having individual insurance can help in several instances. For instance, you may have to get extra health coverage for medical reasons. Or, you may want the security of having insurance even if you leave your job. The health insurance marketplace can be a confusing place to search for the best plan. So, comparing your health insurance with iSelect before you choose a plan is a good idea. The search for the perfect insurance plan is hard to do on your own, especially when you are busy with other obligations. With iSelect, you can allow the experts to explain various plans and which one will work best for you.
Sick people can’t get insurance
Another popular myth is that if you’re already sick, you can’t get health insurance. However, while the costs of insurance may increase, an insurer will not deny you coverage. So, the problem for sick people is usually high premiums, not a lack of coverage.
The type of insurance you can get also differs according to the kind of illness you have. For example, insurance for someone who had a biopsy and someone with a chronic disease will vary. If you’re unwell, you will benefit more from the coverage. And, since insurance is not just free medical care — there’s no reason for an insurance company to shut you out. Health insurance is an investment in your health, so even though the costs may seem high, you will still save money in the long run if you are suffering from a serious illness, which would likely cost far more without any insurance.
