Can Cancer Patients Get Health Insurance?
Cancer is one of the most harrowing diseases. It affects people of all ages, genders, and races, and it can impact virtually any part of the body. While there are ways to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, there aren’t any proven ways to completely prevent it.
A diagnosis of cancer, no matter what type, requires extensive medical care. Treatments can include surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation; not to mention the diagnostic testing, pain medications, and hospital stays that also come along with the disease. Additionally, cancer treatments weaken the immune system, which means that those who are affected by the disease are at an increased risk for developing various types of secondary illnesses; and, illnesses that someone who has a healthy immune system would be able to fight off quickly can become deadly for cancer patients.
The cost of the medical care that is required for cancer patients is exorbitant. Many people have suffered severe economic hardships as a result, or they simply don’t get the medical care that they need because they cannot afford it. Health insurance can help to lessen the financial burden; however, there was a time that cancer patients were denied health care coverage. Today, that’s no longer the case. Read on to learn more about health insurance coverage for cancer patients.
Health Insurance and Cancer
Not long ago, cancer patients and those survivors of the disease were denied health care coverage because they had a pre-existing condition. According to health insurance companies, covering patients with pre-existing conditions is a high risk, as insurers are more than likely going to have to pay more money because cancer patients and survivors require more health care services.
More health care services = more expense for insurance companies, and since insurance companies are in the business of making money, they do not want to cover individuals who have pre-existing conditions, like cancer. As a result, countless cancer patients were unable to get the assistance that they needed to pay for the medical care that they required. Of course, without medical care, cancer spreads and can become fatal.
Today, this is no longer the case. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) which was passed in 2010, health insurance companies are now required to offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, including cancer. That means that all plans that are purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace must provide cancer patients with coverage; they cannot deny them.
Finding Health Insurance for Cancer Care
If you are a cancer patient or a survivor and you do not have health insurance, or the plan that you have offers limited coverage, it’s likely that you are interested in learning about the different options that are available to you.
There are several different insurance plans available through the Marketplace, and it’s important to note that while all must provide those who have pre-existing conditions with coverage, not all plans offer the same type of coverage. With that said, it’s essential that you find out as much information as you can to determine which plan will best meet your needs. You can visit HealthCare.gov to see what options are available; however, trying to wade through all of the information can seem like an overwhelming task.
Instead of trying to figure out what options are available on your own, contacting a reputable insurance agent may be in your best interest. An agent who is well-versed in Marketplace plans will be able to help you find the best coverage options to suit your needs.
Important Points to Note
Once you have selected a health insurance plan, there are some important points to note. Make sure that you find out all of the details of your plan and what it covers; for example, whether you have to see in-network doctors or if you can visit out-of-network providers and what payments you will be responsible for (copays and deductibles). Additionally, you should find out if there are any services that are not covered by your plan.
While Marketplace insurance plans do provide cancer patients with coverage, and they do offer coverage for cancer treatments, not all policies are the same. Therefore, it’s extremely important that you educate yourself about the specifics of your plan so that you fully understand how you are covered.
Summing It Up
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, cancer patients and survivors cannot be denied health insurance coverage. If you are a cancer patient or a survivor of the disease and you are looking for health insurance, speaking with a reputable agent is in your best interest. An agent will be able to help you navigate through the details so that you can find the best possible coverage for your specific needs, including treatment for your cancer.
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