Health Insurance Archives - Page 19 of 52

Covid-19 Has Not Only Led To Academic Issues In Children, But Mental Health Issues Too

The pandemic forced many schools to close down in 2020, meaning many children spent the rest of the 2019-2020 school year and most, if not all, of the 2020-2021 school year learning online. It was not an easy transition for many children or for their parents, with reports from KFF Vaccine Monitor reporting that around four in ten parents of school-aged children ages 5-17 say at least one of their children fell behind academically. And academic issues have not been the only side effects of online schooling: mental health issues have also become much more common among children in the last year.

As this school year begins, though, most schools are transitioning back to in-person learning, which could end up being a mixed bag. Being physically at school can help with children’s development, but many will also experience some anxiety and panic as they return, so it is important to know how to help get your child back into the swing of things.

illustration of a girl sitting at a desk with her hands over her face — *One of the symptoms of mental health issues within children is difficulty concentrating or frequent headaches.*

Studies Show…

The Kaiser Family Foundation researchers recently asked more than 1,200 parents of children younger than age 18 about their children’s’ mental health; more than a third said their child had fallen behind in their social and behavioral development during the pandemic. Children whose school was at least partially online last year were more likely to have had their well being negatively impacted; not only that, but around 42% of the parents surveyed said their children showed at least one new mental health symptom during the pandemic.

Some of the symptoms included:

Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork (27%)
Problems with nervousness, or being easily scared or worried (19%)
Trouble sleeping (18%)
Poor appetite or overeating (15%)
Frequent headaches or stomach aches (11%)

Recognizing Signs of Stress & Other Mental Health Issues

Your child might not know how to express how they are feeling, so it is important to be able to recognize any signs of mental distress in your child. Each child or teen will exhibit different signs, but there are some common symptoms and changes in their behavior or development to look out for, including:

Irritability
Waking up more during the night
Separation anxiety
Bedwetting
Stepping back from personal relationships
Loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed
Difficulty falling asleep
Change in appetite
Memory problems
Thoughts about death or suicide

What You Can Do To Help Prepare Your Child

While the transition back to in-person learning is undoubtedly good for children and their development, it might also be challenging for some, so it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. “Keep checking in with your kids,” Dr. Kyle Monk, a pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai, says. “Ask them how they’re doing and let them know how you’re feeling as well.”

If your child is anxious or scared about returning to school, have an open conversation with them, and take the time to listen to and validate their feelings. Here’s how you can help get them back into the swing of things:

Have an open conversation about the new year and what they can expect as they return to school.
Ween them off of their summer schedule by starting an earlier, consistent bedtime, and prepare them for getting up early. You might want to get them an alarm clock so they know exactly when they need to get up.
Make sure your child has a daily, predictable routine, with regular times for healthy meals, naps, and night sleep at home. Having a rested body and knowing what to expect at home helps children cope.
Sit down with your kids and have them put forward a couple of academic goals for the semester.
Establish a quiet zone or zones at home where kids can do homework, without the distractions of TV, videos, music, etc.
Reassure children about safety measures in place to help keep them safe and healthy, and prepare them to stay safe by talking about socially distancing, washing their hands, and wearing a mask all day.
Be on the lookout for any emotional or physical changes after the start of the school year, so you can help them cope, or get professional help if needed.

All ACA-approved health insurance plans cover mental health needs, including therapy, inpatient services, and any medications needed. Get free quotes on plans with great coverage and affordable prices by entering your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

Facts About Dyslexia

Did you know that dyslexia is the most common learning disability in the United States? Approximately 1 in 5 people are dyslexic, and although it is considered a learning disability, being diagnosed with it does not mean you are not intelligent: in fact, studies show that people with dyslexia are often more creative and actually have a higher level of intelligence than others. While the cause is not fully understood, there are some factors that are known to affect the brain’s development and that might contribute to the development of learning disabilities. In honor of October being Dyslexia Awareness Month, we will take a look at this condition, including signs to look for, and how to help treat it.

What Is Dyslexia?

illustration of a head cut in a half so the brain and spine is visible — *People with dyslexia only use the right side of their brain to process language.*

Dyslexia is a learning disability that is usually detected in children, but it is not often outgrown and usually persists into adulthood. Experts believe that between 5 and 10% of people have dyslexia, and around 40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD.

A common misconception about dyslexia is that people with the disability “see” words backwards, but it is actually an issue with the way the brain processes language: those who are diagnosed with it have trouble reading fluently and will often read slowly and make mistakes while reading. This is because people with disability use only the right side of the brain to process language, while non-dyslexics use three areas on the left side of the brain to process language. Difficulties can spill into other subjects such as spelling, writing, and math. All of this means that those with the disability use about 5 times more energy to complete mental tasks.

There are different types of dyslexia that range from mild to severe, but the sooner it is treated, the better the quality of life for the individual.

The Different Types Of Dyslexia

Primary dyslexia– This is the most common type of dyslexia, and does not change with age. It causes difficulties processing sounds, letters, and numbers, which negatively affects abilities in spelling, reading and math. It is genetic and is often found more in boys than in girls.
Secondary, or developmental dyslexia– This type of dyslexia is caused by issues with brain development during the fetal stage, but slowly disappears with age. It is also more common in boys than in girls.
Trauma, or acquired, dyslexia– This type occurs after trauma to the area of the brain that controls reading and writing.
Visual dyslexia– This is a condition in which the brain does not interpret visual signals properly, and does not receive the full picture of what the eyes are seeing.
Phonological dyslexia– With this condition, there are issues with the brain’s processing of sounds and speech. 75% of people who have dyslexia experience difficulty in breaking speech into individual sounds.
Surface dyslexia– With this form of dyslexia, a child takes longer to process language when they move beyond the decoding stage.

Possible Causes

There is no known cause for dyslexia, but researchers believe that it could be caused by genetics and brain differences. It often runs in the family: children have a 50% chance of having dyslexia if one parent has it, and a 100% chance if both parents have it.

Brain anatomy plays a role, as well: brain imaging studies show a difference in the brain between people with and without dyslexia, mainly in the part of the brain that controls key reading skills.

Signs & Symptoms

Dyslexia does not look the same for everyone, but one of the major signs in a child is trouble decoding words, or matching letters to sounds. Dyslexia can affect everyday skills and activities such as social interaction, memory, and ways of dealing with stress. Other signs and symptoms to look for include:

Avoiding reading out loud
Slow learning of new vocabulary words
Difficulty copying from a book or board
Difficulty remembering content
Problems with coordination, and difficulty with organized sports or games
Difficulty with telling the difference between left and right, and with establishing dominance for either hand
Difficulty remembering or understanding what they hear
Difficulty recalling sequences
Missing words or parts of whole sentences when talking
Difficulty expressing thoughts
Withdrawal and depression
Loss of interest in school-related activities
Problems with self-esteem

Treatment Options

In some cases, dyslexia might not be diagnosed until later in childhood, when a child has trouble with more complex skills, including grammar, reading comprehension, reading fluency, sentence structure, and more in-depth writing.

woman and a little girl looking down at a piece of paper on a table — *Once diagnosed, a detailed therapy plan will be created to help manage the disability.*

If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs or symptoms, consult with your doctor about your child’s development so they can conduct tests to determine your child’s functional reading level and compare it to comparable reading levels. They will also assess how your child processes information and offer advice on how they can improve their learning skills.

After your doctor has more of an idea of the type of dyslexia present, a treatment plan will be created, which will focus on your child’s weaknesses and ways to work on strengthening them. School professionals will come up with an academic treatment plan to help your child succeed, and will guide you on how to continue working with your child at home. Early intervention and support is important to help manage the disability.

Dyslexia has nothing to do with how intelligent someone is, it merely means that they have a hard time with reading and comprehension. It is something that can be detected and managed, which is why many people with dyslexia go on to be successful in all aspects of their lives; the best way to make sure this happens, though, is to have a treatment plan in place. In many cases, you can get your child tested for dyslexia for free at their school, but if you get private testing, it can cost you a lot of money, even with health insurance. And, if you do find out that your child is dyslexic, it is important to be insured so you can get them the best treatment possible to manage the disability and to continue to manage it as they grow up.

If you are interested in an affordable health insurance plan with great coverage, EZ can help. We can compare plans in your area at no cost to you. We take the worry out of finding a good plan to cover your bills, so you can focus on helping your family. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890.

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.

What Is Spina Bifida?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 2,758 babies are born in the U.S. with the birth defect spina bifida. This condition, which develops in a fetus during pregnancy, affects the spine; it is usually identified at birth, although there are different types of spina bifida, one of which is sometimes not diagnosed until late childhood or adulthood, if ever. To better understand spina bifida during Spina Bifida Awareness Month, we will discuss the causes, different types, and what you can do to help reduce the risk of your baby developing it.

What Is Spina Bifida?

picture of a skeleton's spine — *Spina bifida occurs when that neural tube doesn’t close all the way in the spine.*

Spina bifida is a birth defect that affects the column of the spine, which does not form properly in the womb in babies with the condition. During the first month of pregnancy, a set of cells forms the neural tube, which is what later becomes the brain, the spinal cord, and the structures around it; spina bifida occurs when that neural tube doesn’t close all the way, leaving the backbone, which protects the spinal cord, not fully closed. This often leads to damage to the spinal cord and nerves, causing abnormalities of the spine, accompanied by physical and intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to severe.

Different Types of Spina Bifida

There are 4 different types of spina bifida, and symptoms will vary depending on the type:

Myelomeningocele- This is the most serious type of spina bifida, in which a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. The spinal cord and surrounding nerves will push through the open bones in the spine and protrude, damaging the spinal cord and nerves. This causes moderate to severe disabilities, such as changes in brain structure, loss of feeling in the legs or feet, inability to move the legs, and bladder dysfunction.
Meningocele- This occurs when the sac of spinal fluid pokes through the spine, but the spinal cord is not in the sac. Usually there is little to no nerve damage, and only minor disabilities and symptoms.
Closed neural tube defects– This type occurs when the spine has malformations of fat, bone, or membranes. It causes weakness of the legs and trouble with bladder and bowel control.
Spina Bifida Occulta- Also called “hidden” spina bifida, this is the mildest type. There is a small gap in the spine, but no opening on the back, which is why it is hard to diagnose at a birth or in childhood. It rarely causes disabilities or symptoms, and is often not discovered until late childhood or adulthood.

Causes & Prevention

Unfortunately, doctors and scientists do not know all the causes of spina bifida, but they do think that genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors all play a role. There are, though, ways that you can reduce the risk of spina bifida in your baby:

Take 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday– Spina bifida develops in the first few weeks of pregnancy, so if you are considering getting pregnant, begin taking folic acid beforehand. This B vitamin is important for the development of a healthy fetus, and studies show that adding it to your diet can reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect. In addition to taking supplements, you can eat foods high in folic acid, including dark green vegetables, egg yolks, and enriched breads, pastas, and grain products.
Get your diabetes under control – If you are diabetic before you become pregnant, and if you are obese, you should try to lose weight before getting pregnant.
Avoid overheating your body while pregnant
Treat fevers immediately when pregnant

Diagnosis

Spina bifida is often diagnosed before birth with prenatal testing, but some cases go undetected until after birth. During pregnancy, there are multiple screenings that can be done to check for it:

Maternal serum AFP screen– At 16-18 weeks of pregnancy, a sample of the mother’s blood is tested to measure how much AFP, or alpha-fetoprotein, a protein that unborn babies produce, has passed into the mother’s bloodstream from the baby. If there is a high level detected, that means the baby has spina bifida.
Ultrasound– During the second trimester, an ultrasound can show pictures of how the baby is developing in the womb. It is accurate in diagnosing birth defects, and can be done during the first trimester, but is more accurate during the second trimester, from 18-22 weeks.
Amniocentesis- The doctor will remove a sample of the amniotic fluid and test it for protein levels; higher than average levels of AFP indicate that the baby has spina bifida.

It is also possible to identify spina bifida after a baby is born: babies with this condition will usually have a hairy patch of skin or a dimple on their back. If doctors see this, they can use an image scan such as an X-ray to examine the baby’s spine.

Treatment

Treatment is different for each person with spina bifida, depending on the type they have. If it is determined that your fetus has developed the condition, you can opt to have prenatal surgery, in which your baby’s spinal cord will be sewn shut. You can also opt for postnatal surgery, in which the doctor will close the defect and minimize risk of infection within the first few days of life.

Depending on how severe the case of spina bifida is, your child might have to:

Have surgery to improve alignment of their feet, legs, or spine
Have surgery to drain fluid in the brain
Use braces, a walker, crutches, or a wheelchair
Do physical therapy to strengthen their legs
Take rectal medications or enemas to have bowel movements

A child with myelomeningocele will have to have their kidneys monitored closely so that medications or surgeries do not result in kidney failure.

Spina bifida generally occurs within the first weeks of pregnancy, and while we still don’t know exactly what causes it, scientists are continuously researching and studying it to solve the mystery. This condition, depending on the type, can have severe symptoms that require surgery, constant testing, mobility assistance, and/or physical therapy, so if your child is living with spina bifida it’s very important that you have good health insurance to help pay for all of these medical expenses. EZ.insure will work with you to find an affordable plan that meets your medical needs, so you have one less thing to worry about while providing care to your child. To get free quotes on all available plans in your area, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to an agent, call 888-350-1890. No obligation.

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.

Unvaccinated? Be Prepared To Pay More For Health Insurance

While President Biden had a goal of getting 70% of Americans vaccinated by July 4th, the vaccination rate in the U.S. is still only around 60% for those ages 12 and up. That means we are currently unable to reach herd immunity; not only that, but the Delta variant of the virus is spreading rapidly, causing another wave of the pandemic, with hospitals in certain areas again being overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. And despite many companies offering Americans incentives to get the vaccine, many unvaccinated people still won’t get the free shot – but refusing to roll up your sleeve could soon start affecting your wallet.

Growing Speculation

paper with the words risk assessment on the top and a pen on the paper — *Just as health insurance companies can charge smokers more for being more risky, they can do the same for unvaccinated people.*

Health insurance companies have always reserved the right to deny coverage to or charge more for people who partake in risky behavior, such as rock climbing or smoking – in fact, some insurance companies even charge tobacco users up to 50% more for plans than what nonsmokers pay. Now there is speculation that insurance companies might penalize those who are unvaccinated by charging them higher premiums.

What is the reasoning behind the surcharge? Insurance companies argue that an unvaccinated person not only risks getting sick themselves, but can also infect others, leading to expensive medical bills; to help cover those extra costs, insurance companies feel that unvaccinated people should pay higher premiums for engaging in what they see as risky behavior. Experts speculate that insurers haven’t started raising rates for unvaccinated people yet because the vaccine is still only authorized for emergency use and has not yet received full approval from the FDA.

Employer Mandates

The low vaccination rates in some areas of the country are also causing problems for employers, and so many have been offering incentives to employees to encourage them to get vaccinated. On the other hand, some are considering penalizing employees, and are looking to charge them anywhere from $20-$50 more per paycheck for health insurance.

$20 dollar bill underneath a $50 bill — *Employers can penalize unvaccinated employees by charging them $20-$50 more per paycheck for health insurance.*

“Because of the emergence of the Delta variant and because vaccination levels have stalled out with employers, they’re trying to take some more ‘stick’-type measures rather than the incentive,” said Wade Symons, a partner at Mercer Health, a benefits consulting firm. “They’re looking for something that’s going to move the needle, and they’re looking at a surcharge as a potential option for that.”

Employers see these measures as not just a way to get employees vaccinated, but a move to help them save money. “Unvaccinated individuals have potential to cost the employer more from a health care spend perspective,” Symons told CBS MoneyWatch. “They could get Covid and incur expensive hospital costs up to $50,000 for an individual with a tough Covid case.”

Once the vaccine gains full approval from the FDA, employers can make the vaccine mandatory.

Both health insurance companies and employers who contribute to health insurance premiums want to save money, so in a push to get more people vaccinated, the time will most likely come when they make people who refuse to get the vaccine pay more in premiums. As of now, surcharges are only being talked about, but once the vaccine gets fully approved, they could become reality.

Tag: Health Insurance

Covid-19 Has Not Only Led To Academic Issues In Children, But Mental Health Issues Too

Studies Show…

Recognizing Signs of Stress & Other Mental Health Issues

What You Can Do To Help Prepare Your Child

Facts About Dyslexia

What Is Dyslexia?

The Different Types Of Dyslexia

Possible Causes

Signs & Symptoms

Treatment Options

Does Hypnotherapy Actually Work?

Hypnotherapy Explained

Methods Used During Hypnotherapy

What Hypnotherapy Can Be Used For

Does It Work?

Does It Work for Everyone?

Want To Try It?

Health Insurance Coverage For Hypnotherapy

What Is Spina Bifida?

What Is Spina Bifida?

Different Types of Spina Bifida

Causes & Prevention

Diagnosis

Treatment

Itchy Scalp? Lice VS Dandruff

What Is Lice & How Do You Get It?

What Causes Dandruff?

Lice Vs Dandruff

Appearance

Symptoms

Treatment

Unvaccinated? Be Prepared To Pay More For Health Insurance

Growing Speculation

Employer Mandates

Business

About Us

Individual

Insurance News