Navigating the Healthcare System: A Guide for Chronic Illness Patients
Living with a chronic illness can present a host of physical and mental challenges that can influence your ability to work or do daily activities. Apart from that, people with chronic health conditions have found that it’s more difficult to get proper healthcare support at the onset of their chronic illness or when the first signs of the health condition appear. According to a study, individuals with multiple long-term conditions have been found to experience worse hospital care than all other patient groups.
It can be frustrating to experience discrimination or indifference when you’re trying to have access to treatment, support, and medication that would somehow improve your quality of life. The good news is that despite all the barriers to accessing healthcare, there are ways to get what you need to reduce pain, increase your range of motion, or enhance your overall health. Here’s a guide on how chronic illness patients can navigate the healthcare system.
Get the Most Out of Your Insurance Plan
Medical checkup, treatment, and medication costs can add up if you have a chronic health condition, so getting insurance is a must if you have a chronic illness. There is an overwhelming amount of insurance plans out there, so be sure to choose a plan that doesn’t have pre-existing condition clauses that may exclude or limit coverage for your health condition. For instance, if you have a congenital heart condition such as a ventricular septal defect, your health plan should be able to cover surgical treatments like VSD repair since this procedure can prevent further health complications down the line.
Your workplace’s group insurance plan will likely offer the best coverage since some of the most well-known insurance companies usually create tie ups with business organizations. What’s more, despite your chronic illness, they’re likely to offer reasonable rates and their payment plans are usually easier on the wallet. Be aware though that if you get a new insurance policy or if you switch jobs, you may cease to be eligible for health coverage from your previous employer’s group plan.
If this is the case, see to it that you get an insurance plan immediately from the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace. ACA’s plans cover laboratory services, hospital care, checkups, medication, and treatments, among others. Also, the good thing about ACA insurers is that they do not discriminate against people based on their health status, and they don’t charge more just because you have a pre-existing or chronic condition. You’ll also be free to pick your own doctor, and have access to out-of-network emergency room services.
Get Financial Assistance
If your health condition is expected to be long term, or if it severely limits your ability to work, get financial assistance by applying for social security disability insurance. You can submit your application online, and to qualify, you should have proof of a sufficient work history, as well as proof that your chronic condition is making it difficult to continue working any longer. Some chronic illnesses that may qualify for an SSDI include heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and multiple sclerosis, among others.
Advocate for Yourself
There’s a lot of discrimination that goes on in the healthcare system, and many healthcare providers may lean into stereotypes and false perceptions of patients, leading to poor or incorrect care. This is why it’s important to advocate for yourself. Know more about your chronic illness to know the right treatment and care plan for you, and don’t settle for anything less. If your doctor is indifferent or dismissive about your concerns, find another doctor who listens to you, believes you, and takes your condition as seriously as you do. Keep in mind that your voice matters, so speak up and be heard.
Navigating the healthcare system as a person with a chronic illness can be challenging, but there are ways to get past the twists and turns in pathways that lead to accessible healthcare. Make the most of your insurance, get financial assistance, and advocate for yourself to get the care that you need and deserve, and see how these can help to improve your overall wellbeing and quality of life.
