‘Tis the season – open enrollment is upon us. That means it is time to get insurance coverage and spread the word to community members, family and friends. Enrolling in comprehensive and affordable health care coverage is a critical first step to gaining greater health and wellness for all women.
Think you don’t need insurance? Think again, because even if you are healthy now, tomorrow might be a different story. According to Raising Women’s Voices, in 2013 nearly 40 percent of uninsured people said they had outstanding medical bills, and of those, half said their medical bills caused serious financial strain.
18.6 Million Uninsured Women Now Eligible For Coverage
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all women are eligible for health insurance coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions, work status, or income level. That means that if you don’t have health insurance coverage or if you lose your insurance through a layoff or a divorce or for any other reason, coverage is available. Health insurance marketplaces have opened to serve people in every state, and uninsured people can apply for free or low-cost health insurance. In fact, it is estimated that 18.6 million uninsured women will be now be eligible for coverage under ACA options.
Being a Woman is No Longer A Pre-Existing Condition
Thanks to the health care law, a woman will no longer be charged more for the same coverage as a man just because she’s a woman. At last, being a woman will no longer be a costly pre-existing condition.
Health Care Laws Cover Recommended Preventative Services
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the new health care laws require most health plans and insurance policies to cover recommended preventive services at no additional cost. This means that, each year, a woman can have a well-woman visit with her doctor at no cost to her. It also means insurers are required to cover free screenings for breast and cervical cancer, FDA-approved contraception, breastfeeding support and equipment, screening and counseling for domestic violence, smoking cessation medications and services, and more. That’s definitely a step in the right direction because it guarantees 47 million women now have access to preventive women’s health services.
It’s a fact that women make 80 percent of the health care decisions for their families, and are usually the ones that family members turn to when deciding on coverage. That’s why we need to reach out to the women in our lives with information that helps them and their families get covered.
To find out more about health insurance options for women, go to Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need.