Imagine a future where you have better access to healthcare. You don't have to worry about whether or not you can afford to see a doctor because your insurance covers most of the cost. You also don't have to wait months for an appointment with a specialist you can get one within days. You can take simple tests right from home without even needing to go to the doctor to have them run a simple test in their backed-up labs. This is the future we're working towards, and there are things you can do to help make it happen. The healthcare industry is starting to see more and more direct-to-consumer businesses dedicated to bringing greater access to the individual when it comes to options for testing and home health care. Keep reading for tips on how to get better access to healthcare in 2022.
Understand your insurance plan and what services are covered. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the full scope of their insurance plan, which can lead to unfortunate financial and health consequences if you can’t get the care you need. In addition, some plans make it tricky to see specialists, and if this is the case, you may want to consider adjusting your plan whenever possible. When this isn’t possible, it may be time to take action into your own hands and seek out home care options that allow you to speak with specialists without going into a doctor's office.
Know Your Options for Low-Cost Healthcare
There are many more options for low-cost or cost-sharing health care with recent legislation passed during the pandemic. These new laws open the options and potential federal help with quality healthcare plans. While private insurance is still the primary way most receive care, we should take advantage of the steps taken to make it more
accessible. The hope is that these pieces of legislation will turn into accessible care for all, but for now, know where and find a quality, affordable care through your state's healthcare marketplace.
Screen Regularly, and at Home!
We’ve all heard endless advice on insurance, but what can we do at home to understand our health needs and have access to our records and tests? This is where companies are bringing healthcare accessibility into the hands of individuals. For example, Vessel Health is a prominent brand that has developed easy and accurate at-home testing strips that any smartphone can read through their app. These tests give a full breakdown of your body's nutrient levels, hydration and stress levels in a matter of minutes, giving individuals accurate and reliable information about their health to help them make informed decisions about how to use their insurance when necessary. It’s essential to make sure you're up-to-date on your preventive care screenings, and if some of this can be done at home, that’s one step closer to widespread access to healthcare needs.
Make Appointments When Necessary
Of course, when something serious comes up, and you can’t care for yourself at home, see a doctor immediately. Preventative screening and self-care can do amazing things to prevent chronic health issues and injuries. Still, it’s also meant to help you be more aware of your body and be able to decide when a doctor is necessary. Having access to information at home and seeing a doctor when needed are two ingredients that will lead us to a more robust healthcare system that puts people first.
Practice Preventative Care by Exercising and Eating Well
There are a few key things that everyone can be doing at home that give us all access to preventative care. If we make sure that we exercise regularly, eat home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients, and get enough sleep, we will likely be preventing a vast majority of common ailments and illnesses. Or at the very least, lowering our risk by a significant amount to develop any of those issues. This can help us feel more confident when searching for insurance plans, understanding our benefits, and preparing for potentially needing to use your insurance. Stay healthy by eating well, getting enough rest, and adopting a simple but regular exercise routine! These things can be done in small ways to ensure you set yourself up for success and don’t take on too many lifestyle changes at once.
Manage Chronic Conditions
Access to both at-home healthcare and affordable insurance for those with chronic conditions is essential. Unfortunately, managing chronic conditions means lots of doctor visits, prescriptions, and dealing with the internal bureaucracy of healthcare systems - which is never fun. Those with chronic conditions may find some relief in taking advantage of healthcare apps that offer at-home testing in addition to prescription apps that make filling medications much easier and save a trip to an office. Manage chronic conditions in a more accessible way by
taking advantage of apps and companies working toward making these tools more accessible on a broader scale.
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving. In just a few years, we have seen new technology like telemedicine and home testing that make it easier for many people to get access to quality care. As these options grow in popularity, more doctors are likely to offer them as an alternative way for patients to be treated without having to leave their homes or workplaces. We can help you find out your best option by exploring all of the available technologies that allow us better access today and into 2022. In addition, companies are taking significant steps to bring health tracking to the palm of your hand so we can all make more informed decisions about what to eat, what supplements to take, and what underlying issues might be going on that go unnoticed in our daily lives. The more empowered we are to take care of ourselves, the more powerful we become as a society!
