health insurance help Archives - Page 15 of 29

Does Hypnotherapy Actually Work?

Hypnosis dates back to at least the 18th century, when it was used to induce dreams and get to the root of a problem. Nowadays, many people swear by it as a way to help battle obesity, quit smoking, fight phobias, and find relief from other conditions. So have you ever considered hypnotherapy, and have you been wondering whether it’s actually worth your time? Your health insurance plan might actually cover hypnotherapy, but before you make up your mind, find out what the science has to say about it.

Hypnotherapy Explained

Maybe your only experience with hypnosis is seeing it on TV or a magician’s stage, but hypnotherapy is not a stage show. It is a form of psychotherapy, in which hypnosis is used by a hypnotherapist or psychologist during a counseling session to help relax a patient. The therapist will essentially place you in a hypnotic state, or a trance, so that they can help you open up about traumatic or painful experiences, and explore the memories that are hidden from your conscious mind. It essentially seeks to unite your conscious and subconscious minds to help create a solution to a problem.

So what’s the reasoning behind putting you into this state? During hypnosis, the subconscious mind is more active and accessible to the therapist, so you will become more open to your therapist’s suggestions and guidance. Being susceptible in this way will hopefully help you to make positive changes in your life and help you to deal with whatever issue you are going through. Don’t worry though, you will remain in complete control during the sessions; you will be able to understand, comprehend, and remember things – there won’t be any clucking like a chicken, or any weird or inappropriate things going on while hypnotized!

Methods Used During Hypnotherapy

There are two main methods used during hypnotherapy:

Suggestion therapy– During this kind of therapy, you are put in a trance-like state and the therapist provides you with guidance and suggestions. This is typically the therapy that is used to help control or stop unwanted or unhealthy behaviors like gambling, nail-biting, smoking, etc. Some studies have even suggested that it is beneficial for people with chronic pain.
Analysis– Also referred to as regression therapy, this is when a therapist digs deep into your subconscious mind to bring out repressed memories from past traumas, all of which could be causing psychological distress, mental health conditions, or problematic behaviors. During this therapy, the psychologist will put you into a relaxed state and then explore past events in your life so that you can move past them. The reasoning behind using this method is that hypnotized individuals are up to 50% more capable of handling painful stimuli.

What Hypnotherapy Can Be Used For

black and white picture of a person sitting on the floor with a bottle of alcohol in their hand — *Hypnotherapy can help a person get over unhealthy behaviors, such as alcoholism.*

Hypnotherapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions and unhealthy behaviors, and many believe it can help with:

Cessation of smoking
Improving sleep and overcoming sleep disorders
Alcoholism
Weight loss
Phobias
Depression
Anxiety
Addiction
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Does It Work?

So does hypnotherapy actually work? Perhaps you have heard success stories from friends or read a few anecdotes online, but if you are considering it, you should get the facts for yourself. Research has found that:

Hypnosis has a success rate of 93% after 6 sessions.
Hypnosis and guided visualization were over 30 times more effective for weight loss than dieting alone. Results from 18 different studies confirmed that those who received hypnosis lost more weight than 90% of those not receiving hypnosis, and they maintained the weight loss two years after treatment ended.
Hypnosis is 3 times as effective as a nicotine patch and 15 times more effective than willpower for quitting smoking.
Hypnosis reduces pain and speeds recovery from surgery- hypnosis used in conjunction with local anesthesia was associated with improved intraoperative patient comfort, and with reduced anxiety and pain.
A 2018 study of burn wound patients found that hypnosis was highly effective in managing pain and reducing the secondary symptoms of anxiety.
A meta-analysis from 2018 reviewed the findings of almost 400 records, 15 studies, and 17 trials of hypnosis for controlling the symptoms of anxiety. At the end of treatment, the average participant in the 17 trials reported more reduced anxiety than 79% of the control groups.
A 6-month study in Boston showed that 73% of participants who had chronic fatigue syndrome reported increased energy, more restful periods of sleep, and better concentration at work after receiving hypnotherapy.

Does It Work for Everyone?

Hypnosis is not right for everyone, because some people are unable to or will not allow themselves to fully enter a state of hypnosis. With that being said, approximately 5-10% of the population is highly susceptible to hypnotic suggestions, and even if you’re not in this group, the chances are still high that hypnosis can help you. In fact, around 60-79% of people are moderately susceptible, and the remaining 25-30% are If you’re trying to lose weight, stop smoking, control substance abuse, or overcome a phobia, hypnosis might be worth a try.

Want To Try It?

Hypnotherapy is becoming a much more popular and accepted form of treatment, since it can feel like an “easier” way to help with a condition. If you’re interested in trying it out, it is important to find a licensed therapist; when looking for a hypnotherapist make sure to check their credentials, and ask if they offer a free consultation so you can meet them first. In addition, while checking their credentials, make sure to call your health insurance company to see if the therapist or psychologist is in your network and how much of the session they will cover.

Health Insurance Coverage For Hypnotherapy

hand holding a stethoscope in a bubble — *Health insurance can cover 50-80% of hypnotherapy sessions depending on where you live and the plan you have.*

Depending on where you live, a session can cost anywhere from $80 to $300 if you don’t have health insurance, but most insurance companies will cover 50 to 80% of the cost of individual therapy with licensed professionals. Your health insurance will cover hypnotherapy on a case-by-case basis, if it is deemed medically necessary for any acute or chronic pain, or if it will help you get healthier by quitting smoking or losing weight. If you have a great plan that covers hypnotherapy, you might be able to get your sessions for the cost of a copay or a 10-50% coinsurance, depending on the insurance company.

Interested in trying out hypnotherapy? We don’t blame you: with such a high success rate, it certainly is very enticing. If your current health insurance plan does not cover it, and if you want to find one that does, EZ can help! Our agents work with the top-rated companies in the country and can compare available plans in your area in minutes. We will provide you with your own personal agent who will work hard to find an affordable plan that covers hypnotherapy, so you can get the help you need. Our services are free, and come with no hassle or obligation. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

Itchy Scalp? Lice VS Dandruff

If you are one of the many people who have had dandruff, you know how uncomfortable it is. Those little flakes are not only embarrassing (especially if you’re wearing black!), but dandruff also usually comes with a dry, itchy scalp. But what if your head is itchier than normal? Did you ever consider that those flakes on your head could be lice? Both lice and dandruff look similar, which is why people get easily confused, but it is important to be able to tell them apart, because the remedies for each are completely different.

What Is Lice & How Do You Get It?

Pediculus humanus capitis, more commonly known as head lice, are parasitic insects that can live on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes. There are three different forms of lice: the eggs (also called nits), nymphs, and adult lice.The adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and will feed on your blood. They cannot jump or fly, but instead can be transferred to someone else through sharing hats or hair brushes, hugging, or any other head-to-head contact.

What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that is characterized by a dry scalp with shedding skin cells that come off in the form of white flakes. It is not contagious.

Lice Vs Dandruff

Appearance

Lice look like sesame seeds, while their nits look like teardrop-shaped eggs that are white or yellow in color, giving them the appearance of flecks of skin. They are typically attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp, but not on the scalp. It is easy to confuse the eggs with dandruff, scabs, or flecks of hairspray, but they typically look more like grains of rice that are attached to a hair follicle. The eggs are very hard to remove, so you will generally need a fine-tooth comb or other type of treatment to get rid of them.Dandruff, on the other hand, causes white or sometimes yellowish flakes on your scalp, which will easily fall off when you brush your hair.

Symptoms

Lice and dandruff both cause itching of the scalp, but lice tends to cause severe itchiness, while dandruff causes a more uncomfortable dry skin itch. Other symptoms that can differentiate lice from dandruff include:

Tickling or crawling feeling
Trouble sleeping because lice are most active during the night
Red bumps or sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders

Symptoms of dandruff include:

Scaling on the scalp
Pink or red skin from scratching your scalp
White or yellowish flakes on your scalp, hair, eyebrows, or shoulders

Treatment

Both conditions can be treated successfully at home, but the treatments for lice and dandruff are very different, and it’s important to find out which issue you have so you can receive the proper treatment. To treat lice, you should:

Use an over-the-counter medicated shampoo.
Comb any dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-tooth nit comb.
Wash any items that could transfer the lice to a new host, including clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, and any other things that have come in contact with your head. Wash everything with hot water and then dry them on the hottest setting.
Vacuum all of your carpets and furniture. If something cannot be vacuumed, it should be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
Avoid using conditioner in your hair until it is completely free of lice and eggs.
If the over-the-counter treatments are not effective, see your doctor to get a prescription medication.

Dandruff, on the other hand, is easier to treat. You can shampoo your hair twice a week with an anti-dandruff shampoo, keeping the shampoo in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes. If using anti-dandruff shampoo does not work, see a dermatologist to determine if the dandruff is being caused by a yeast infection or an auto-immune condition, which can require a different form of treatment/medication.

Dandruff can be embarrassing, annoying, itchy, and sometimes hard to get rid of, but it is ultimately a skin condition that can be treated fairly easily. Lice, on the other hand, are parasites that will feed on your blood and continuously lay eggs on your scalp; if not treated they will continue to lay eggs, so treating it properly, while time-consuming, is very important. Both might end up in a visit to the doctor for treatment, which can cost a lot of money, especially if you are uninsured – and the medication can be just as much as the doctor’s visit, or more. Having a good health plan can save you money by helping pay for these visits and medications – and some might even cover over-the-counter treatments for these conditions! If you would like to compare plans, and find a plan that meets your needs while saving you money, EZ can help. To get free quotes in minutes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

Millennials Health Is Declining, How EZ Can Help

Recent data from insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield shows that one-third of millennials have health conditions, with around 44% of older Millennials having at least one chronic health condition, putting them on track to be one of the unhealthiest generations in United States history. This means that millennials are shelling out more money in treatment costs than any other generation; if you’re in this boat, and if you don’t have sufficient health insurance, you’re probably paying a lot more than you should be for your health care, or you might not be getting the care that you need. EZ.Insure can help you find a great affordable plan that will make sure you’re fully covered and that you’re saving money.

Rising Health Issues

person's hand drawing an arrow going upward — *Millennials health has been steadily declining, making them the unhealthiest generation in American history.*

Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996, also known as Gen Y) suffer from higher rates of physical ailments and behavioral health problems when compared with the generation before them. For example, research shows that between 2014 and 2017, rates of depression among Millennials rose by 31%, rates of hyperactivity rose by 29%, and rates of hypertension rose by 16%. When compared to Gen-Xers, Millennials are especially experiencing greater rates of major depression and Type 2 diabetes.

The sad reality is that, if these trends continue, Millennials will have a shorter life expectancy than the generation before them – mortality rates could rise by 40% when compared to rates that Gen-Xers experienced at the same age. Not only that, but health spending because of these rising ailments could increase by 33%!

“This is going to be a very negative, self-reinforcing cycle, and we need to break it,” said Mark Zandi, a chief economist for Moody’s, speaking at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Health of America Forum at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA.

The Causes

So what are some of the reasons behind Millennials’ health issues? Many experts blame economic worries; for example, many Millennials watched their parents lose their homes and jobs during the recession, ultimately increasing their risk for behavioral and psychological problems, which has made many turn to substance abuse. Millennials are also more likely to be financially unstable themselves, which could impact their physical and mental health: some have struggled to find jobs, others have been forced to take low-wage jobs, and most are entering the workforce with a lot of student loan debt. “Ten years in, many of the Millennials are struggling to catch up,” Zandi said.

In addition to student loans and low salaries, health care costs are also plaguing millennials. For example, in 1960 the average annual cost of healthcare per person was $146, but in 2016 that number rose to $10,345, a ninefold increase! These out-of-control costs mean that many millennials do not go to the doctor for any medical issues that come up, or they visit the emergency room, which is a less-than-ideal solution for everyone. In fact, a Blue Cross report found that 1 in 5 millennials diagnosed with major depression do not seek treatment, likely because they can’t afford to do so.

How EZ Can Help

silhouette of a person with a headset on and a network around — *EZ agents work with the top-rated companies in the country, and can compare plans instantly.*

If you’re a Millennial struggling financially, we get that it’s important to save as much money as possible, but it’s also important to take care of your physical and psychological well-being! We know that the rising cost of health care can make it seem like you can’t afford to do this, but EZ can help: we offer our services at no cost to you, because we want to help you find a great plan, without you having to worry about spending any extra money.

Depending on your circumstances, and with the extra Affordable Care Act subsidies that are currently on offer, we might be able to find you a great plan for as low as $0 a month! Come to us, and we’ll match you with your own agent, who will compare all available plans in your area, and find a plan that suits your needs – we’ll even sign you up for the plan for free. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

High Cholesterol Is More Common Than It Should Be

More likely than not, you know someone with high cholesterol, or maybe you have been diagnosed with it yourself: roughly 38% of American adults have been diagnosed with this condition – and even more might have it and not know, because there are no symptoms. It is important to get checked and to know your numbers, though, because high cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in America. In honor of September being National Cholesterol Education Month, we will discuss what different cholesterol levels mean, what is considered high, and how to help manage and lower your high cholesterol.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is produced naturally by your liver and found in your blood; it is also found in certain foods and animal products, and eating foods high in saturated fat and trans fat will raise the levels of cholesterol in your blood. While we might automatically think of all cholesterol as “bad,” it’s actually necessary for good health, because your body uses it for making hormones and digesting fatty foods; in addition, there are two types of cholesterol, one that is considered “good” and one that is considered “bad.” Having a higher “good” number is helpful, but having too much “bad” cholesterol in your blood is a problem, and puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke. There are no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol, so the only way to know if you have it is to get blood work done.

Understanding Cholesterol Numbers

Cholesterol travels through the blood on proteins called lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins:

LDL (low density lipoprotein), also known as “bad” cholesterol, because it builds up on the walls of your blood vessels in the form of plaque; this plaque makes your blood vessels narrower, meaning blood will have a harder time flowing to and from your heart, which is what causes heart attacks. So, if your LDL number is high, you are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke.
HDL (High-density lipoprotein), also known as “ good” cholesterol. Your body will absorb this type of cholesterol, carry it back to the liver, and flush it from the body. Having a higher HDL will help lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When you have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels, you will be presented with 4 numbers:

Your bad cholesterol, or LDL, which should be less than 100 mg/dL
Your good cholesterol, or HDL, which should be at least 50 mg/dL in women and 40 mg/dL in men.
Your total cholesterol number, which should be between 125 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL.
Your triglycerides, which is a type of fat in the blood. Normal levels should be below 150 mg/dL.

According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 5 adolescents, and nearly 93 million U.S. adults aged 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.

deep fried chicken wings — *Eating deep fried foods can increase your cholesterol level.*

What Causes High Cholesterol?

Everyone is at risk for developing high cholesterol, although your risk does go up with age; it can be caused by multiple factors, including your lifestyle and a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, known as familial hypercholesterolemia. In many cases, though, your diet is the culprit: your body naturally produces all the bad cholesterol it needs, so eating foods high in certain fats will cause your body to produce too much LDL cholesterol. The main dietary causes of high bad cholesterol include:

Not eating enough foods containing healthy fats– Healthy fats will help increase your good HDL cholesterol levels.
Eating foods containing unhealthy fats– Full-fat dairy products, butter, deep-fried foods, and baked goods such as biscuits and pastries are high in trans fats, which raise LDL levels.
Not eating enough foods containing fiber– Eating foods high in dietary fiber, like veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds can reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood.
Older age– The older you get, the harder it is for your body to clear cholesterol from your blood.

Conditions That Increase Your Risk

Certain health conditions can increase your risk of high cholesterol, such as:

Type 2 diabetes– lowers your good cholesterol levels and raises bad cholesterol levels
Obesity– linked to higher LDL cholesterol levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels

Prevention & Treatment of High Cholesterol

Getting your cholesterol levels checked is extremely important for catching and managing high bad cholesterol, since there are no symptoms of this condition. Everyone aged 20 or older should get tested every 5 years; if you have cardiovascular disease risk factors, you should get tested more often.

If you do find out that your numbers are high, you can take steps to help lower your cholesterol levels, including:

Losing weight- Being overweight or obese raises bad cholesterol levels and lowers good cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help improve those numbers.
Eating a healthy diet– Limit foods high in saturated fat, such as full-fat dairy products, fatty meats like red meat, fried foods, butter, and coconut oil. Instead focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, healthy protein sources such as fish, lentils, and nuts, avocados, low-fat milk, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and foods high in fiber.
Exercising- A sedentary lifestyle will lower your good cholesterol levels. You should aim to do about 2 ½ hours a week of some type of aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking.
Quitting smoking– Using tobacco products, including vaping, lowers your HDL cholesterol. By quitting, you can lower your LDL cholesterol and increase your HDL cholesterol levels.

If you are unable to get your cholesterol numbers down through diet and exercise alone, you might need to take medications like statins to help manage your cholesterol, and lower your risk of heart disease. You will likely be prescribed medicine if:

You have already had a heart attack
Your LDL cholesterol level is 190 mg/dL or higher
You’re 40-75 years old and have diabetes

Be Prepared

Having the right health insurance plan means being able to get tested and treated for conditions like high cholesterol, without having to worry about forking out a lot of money for medical bills. If you do not have health insurance, or your current plan is not sufficient for your needs or is too expensive, EZ can help. One of our highly trained agents will work with you to compare available plans in your area and will find the right one for your medical and financial needs. All of our services are free, so your focus can be on finding a great plan, not worrying about spending extra money. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation and no hassle.

How Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Work?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a federal law passed in 1993, allows employees to take leave from work for an illness, or to take care of a family member without fear of losing their job. This leave is unpaid, but you will still be able to keep your employer-based health insurance during this time; before taking the time off you need, though, it is important to fully understand your rights under FMLA, and how you can protect your job and health insurance.

How FMLA Works

Compensation While Taking Leave

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees are entitled to 12 work weeks of leave in a 12-month period. The leave is unpaid; the law is only meant to protect your job while you are sick or are taking care of a family member. That being said, if you have accrued paid time off, you might be able to use that paid leave while on FMLA leave; depending on your employer, you might be able to use your vacation or sick days, as well as any other type of paid leave your employer offers. You should double check with your employer about using this time for FMLA before taking leave.

Taking FMLA Leave

You are only eligible under FMLA to take time off in certain circumstances, which include:

To recover from a serious health condition that can prevent you from fulfilling your job duties.
The birth of a child.
To care for your newborn within one year of birth.
Placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
To help care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition.
To recover from your own personal health condition.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) also added the Covid-19 vaccine as an optional addition to the FMLA: “Congress extended the current tax credits for voluntary sick leave pay to Sept. 30, 2021, and added a new reason for leave. Now, workers may be eligible for time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or if they are having side effects related to receiving the vaccine,” according to a guide on the FMLA during the coronavirus pandemic from U.S. News & World Report.

Which Employers Does the FMLA Apply To?

Some companies are not bound by the FMLA: it only applies to employers who have at least 50 employees, or that had 50 employees for at least 20 weeks of the previous year. In addition, even if the law applies to your employer, it might not apply to you: you need to have worked for the company for one year and for at least 1,250 hours during the current year in order to be protected by the law.

illustration of a man with glasses on looking at a laptop with exclamation points — *Your job is secured while on FMLA leave, but not your job title.*

Your Exact Job Title Might Change

The FMLA requires that your employer reinstate you as an employee once you come back from your FMLA leave, but the law does not require your employer to give you your old position back. According to the Department Of Labor (DOL), “an employee must be restored to the employee’s original job, or to an equivalent job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.”

FMLA Benefits

While you are out on FMLA leave, employer-provided medical coverage should continue, but if your health insurance premiums are usually paid through payroll deductions, your health insurance could be in jeopardy while you are out on leave and not getting paid. In order to avoid losing your insurance, you should make sure one of two things happens: either you can arrange with your employer to have them pay your share of the premium payments and then recover the payments from you once you return, or you can speak to your human resources department and arrange to pay your premiums through them. If you don’t do either of these things, your health insurance will be terminated, so make sure you speak to your employer before your leave, so you can be sure to maintain your coverage.

The FMLA was passed to ensure you will still have a job to return to if you need to take time off to care for yourself or a loved one. It offers some peace of mind, but there are still some things to consider before taking the time off, especially how you intend to pay for your health insurance while you are not receiving a paycheck. If you cannot afford your health insurance, and your employer will not pay for your share, your medical insurance will be terminated – but you will have the opportunity to find a new plan, and EZ can help. We will compare plans in your area and find a plan that meets your health and financial needs, at no cost to you. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

PrEP Must Now Be Completely Covered By Health Insurance Companies

Although we might have been focused on other illnesses for the past few years, HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, has by no means been eradicated in the United States. 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV; around 14% of them are unaware they are infected, and only a little over half of those who are aware of their condition are virally suppressed. Fortunately, there are now effective treatments for the virus (but still no cure), as well as a drug that can help prevent getting infected, known as PrEP. And now, in an attempt to prevent the spread of HIV, the federal government has announced that all health insurance companies in the U.S. must completely cover the cost of this drug. But will it be offered to everyone, and when can people expect to get the PrEP pill at no cost?

All About HIV

illustration of the human body and HIV symptoms that affects each part of it — *Be aware of the signs and symptoms of HIV, because if it is not treated, it can progress to AIDS.*

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, was once considered a death sentence, and a diagnosis of it can still sound extremely scary today. And while it is a serious virus that attacks the body’s immune system, and which, if not treated, can lead to the more deadly AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), there are now treatments that can slow or prevent the progression of the virus. The problem is that there is currently no cure for HIV (or AIDS), which is why it is important for those who are at a higher risk of contracting HIV to protect themselves with PrEP.

Fortunately, a lot of myths have been debunked about HIV, but there are some things about the virus that might still be surprising to many people, including the following statistics:

In 2018, there were almost 40,000 new HIV diagnoses.
Gay and bisexual African American men account for the largest number of HIV diagnoses.
Approximately 23% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are women, and about one in nine of them are unaware that they have the virus.
Among all women diagnosed with HIV in 2018, 57% were African American, 21% were white, and 18% were Hispanic/Latina.
Young adults aged 13 to 24 accounted for more than 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in 2018.

When To Consider PrEP

PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a daily medication that can reduce a person’s chances of getting HIV if taken daily; doing so will reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90%, and more than 70% for people who inject drugs. A person can benefit from the drug if they:

have a sexual partner with HIV
have not been consistently using a condom
have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
inject drugs and share needles with an injection partner who is infected with HIV

Who Can Get PrEP For Free & When?

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the drug will be free for people who are insured. They will not have a:

Drug copay
Lab test copay
Coinsurance fee
Doctor visit copay
Deductible payment

Health insurance companies will have 60 days from July 19th to comply with the new mandate.

While the new rule currently only applies to those with health insurance, there is some debate on giving access to the medication to everyone, not just the insured. Kenyon Farrow, managing director of advocacy and organizing at the activist group PrEP4All, called upon the federal government “to look for ways to cover people who are uninsured, particularly in non-Medicaid-expansion states, to be able to access PrEP services.”

“If we’re serious about ending the HIV epidemic,” Farrow said, “we have to ensure equal access to PrEP in all communities and not only for the insured.”