Ladies, it’s a fact that our health needs are different than those of men.  Due to our genetic make-up, there are many other health concerns that we must consider when choosing our health insurance plan.  The future is unpredictable, so it is important that we get coverage for all our current and potential future conditions.

Questions all women should ask about their health insurance coverage

1. Does my health insurance plan cover health screenings recommended annually for women?

It is recommended that women have annual mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, and osteoporosis screenings beginning at a certain age.  There are others important annual tests, but these tests are specific to women. The law requires that health insurance companies offer coverage for one annual mammogram for women 40 and older to prevent breast cancer.  Most states mandate that insurance companies cover an annual cervical cancer screening, such as pap smears.  Also, health insurance companies are required to offer coverage for annual osteoporosis screenings since they are necessary for health maintenance.  Osteoporosis tests begin around age 60.

2. Does my health insurance company cover specialty doctor visits?

Most health insurance companies cover for your OB/GYN services.  But it is important to check your health insurance plan to see what costs and treatments are covered because some are excluded from insurance.  For example, sterilization is rarely covered by health insurance companies.

3. Will my pregnancy be covered by health insurance?

Today, the average cost of having a baby is over $6000. Health insurance companies will most often cover doctors office and hospital visit expenses (with a small co-payment).  But there’s a catch: you must have health insurance before you get pregnant! Women who are already pregnant are considered “high-risk” candidates and it will be much more difficult to get coverage.  Other things you may want to check with the insurance company is if they offer coverage for services during your pregnancy (associated with the pregnancy but not the typical office visits) and prescriptions for possible depression. Even if you don’t needs these, better safe than sorry!

4. What if I need infertility treatments? Is that covered?

Infertility insurance is limited, but you’re not out of luck.  There are 14 states with mandates for health insurance coverage of infertility treatments.  If infertility treatments are not specifically excluded form your insurance plan, you can get coverage.  If needed, get a copy of your plan from your health insurance provider.  Otherwise, infertility treatment coverage is also offered by private insurance companies.

5.  Does my health insurance cover all of my prescription drugs?

There are many prescription pills specifically for women, such as contraceptive pills.  Generally, contraceptives have not been covered by health insurance companies in their plan. But, each insurer is different.  It is important to ask your provider because they may offer contraceptive coverage.

6. Is there coverage for treatment against diseases common to women?

Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and many others.  It is important for women to take preventative measures in their healthcare as well as have insurance for their expenses.  Vaccines are common preventative measures, such as Gardasil, a vaccine to prevent HPV and cervical cancer.  Many insurance companies cover this preventative vaccine because it reduces the chance of future medical conditions. However, check with the health insurance provider you are considering before making the final decision.

It is important to get coverage before you become ill.  Difficulty arises with health insurance coverage if you are already ill because the insurers many consider it a pre-existing condition.  Or some companies may offer coverage for office visits and pharmacy charges, but have you on a waiting list for any other treatment coverage you may need.

New Jersey’s legislation that allows single, not married children without health coverage to stay on their parents’ coverage until the age of 30 is now being followed by Pennsylvania with a bill that would extend parents’ health coverage for children up until the age of 29. Current policies only allow parents to keep their children on their health insurance up until age 19 or until they graduate college. With about 400,000 uninsured residents of Pennsylvania being between the ages of 19 and 29, this bill can help insure many people.

The economy, though it is trying to get out of a rut, is in shambles right now. Many people are losing or have lost their jobs and recent graduates are having trouble finding a full time job with health coverage. The Pennsylvania bill, which is heading to the Senate for consideration, will require health insurers to give insured parents the option of extending their coverage to an uninsured child through age 29.

To be eligible to stay on a parents’ coverage, a child must be unmarried, have no dependents, be a resident of Pennsylvania or a full-time student, and have no coverage under another health insurance policy.

“We must find a way to provide affordable coverage to young adults, both to ensure their health and to protect the overall integrity of Pennsylvania’s health-care system,” said Rep. Mark Longietti.  “My legislation offers a cost-effective way to make sure these young adults have access to health care.”

To see the full article, go to http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_627577.html

According to a UnitedHealth Group poll, more than half of young adults surveyed lack information about their options for health insurance. The poll surveyed 1,000 young adults between the ages of 18 and 21. The survey found that 67% of the students polled haven’t made any plans for health insurance when they graduate. 69% of those covered by their parent’s health insurance plans are unclear about the details of their coverage as well as 26% having no idea when their coverage will end.

Approximately 87% state that educators should do more to communicate information about obtaining health insurance and the basics of health insurance. Some of the options recent graduates and young adults have include:

• Employer-sponsored health insurance: If you’re lucky to get a job out of college, you will most likely have the option of an employer sponsored group plan. Benefits are usually very comprehensive and your employer pays for a portion of it if not all.

• Short term health insurance: If you are looking for a job and working part time or not at all for the meantime, getting a short term health insurance plan may be beneficial. Plans tend to last up to one year and you can cancel at any time. They are fairly low cost but they will most likely not cover any preexisting conditions.

• COBRA: COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, lets students keep their coverage under their parents for up to 36 months. However, COBRA plans are expensive.

• Individual Health Insurance plan: If the above options don’t seem appealing, an individual health insurance plan is another option. Either going directly to a carrier like Aetna, or a health insurance broker, you can choose a plan that caters to your needs. You can also cancel at any time if you get a job or find another plan that suits you better.

Just remember, health insurance is vital and everyone should have it. If something were to happen, it will cost a lot more to treat you than that couple hundred you pay a month for your coverage.

Health insurance isn’t something most college students think about because for most, they have been under their parents their whole life. But health insurance companies waste no time kicking you off your parents’ insurance the day you graduate college. Unless you are lucky enough to graduate college and have a job set up with benefits, chances are you will be scrambling around for health insurance.

When you graduate, there are definitely more important things on your mind than health insurance. For example, finding a job and/or finding a house. But have health insurance is vital and can help you in the long run. Of course, health insurance can be expensive and out of reach for many graduates who have a massive amount of student loans.

Here are a few options for coverage.

Short Term Health Insurance. Short term health plans cover you for about 12 months while you are looking for a job with benefits or another health insurance plan. They are available through private health insurance carriers and are designed to be flexible, allowing you to pay month to month and cancel at any time. This type of coverage normally does not cover preexisting conditions and most cannot be renewed.

High Deductible Health Insurance. Though an individual health plan may be out of financial reach for most college graduates, high deductible plans have lower premiums. Though they may not cover preventive services and prescription drugs, but if something were to happen to you it is smarter to have any plan than no health insurance at all. A little secret: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act is a federal law that requires health insurance providers to continue coverage for up to 36 months for those who have been dropped from plans. This doesn’t only include employees, but also includes spouses and adult children. Under COBRA, the health insurance carrier continues to offer the same price that was offered to the employer. However, the employee usually pays for part of the fee. Under COBRA, the employer does not contribute therefore you or your parents have to pay for the full price of the premium.

Some states, though, make it easier for students to obtain health insurance. In New Jersey, insurers are required to allow adult children to stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 30 if they have no dependents and are residents of the state.

No matter what you are forced to do to obtain health insurance, do it. Without student health insurance, you’re going to end up owing a lot more than just student loans.