Any health care reform is way too far away to help women struggling today to make ends meet. A survey of women this year by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) found that 14% had postponed their annual gyn check up due to the economy. Fifteen percent have cut back or stopped taking medication because of cost. Other studies confirm this trend estimating that up to 1 in 4 people are postponing preventative health care.
Health care providers are understandably concerned that these delays in preventative health care such as pelvic exam, pap smears, mammograms and more will result in serious health problems down the road. The benefits of preventative health care is just that, preventing illness or late diagnosis.
If you have lost your health insurance or know someone who has, here are a few suggestions:
1. Ask about discounts or payment plans for office visits. Many health care organizations have programs for people who self pay.
2. Take advantage of generic drug programs by national chains. Walmart, CVS, Kroger and many others have programs covering hundreds of medications. This includes hormone thrapy, osteoporosis medications and anti-depressants, to name a few. The cost for these medications may be $4-10 a month.
3. Check out discount programs by pharmaceutical companies. A good resource is www.rxassist.com.
4. Be savvy about drug costs. Go to www.michigandrugprices.com to compare prices at local pharmacies. If you are not in Michigan maybe your state has a similar resource. Do a search.
5. Recommit to a healthy lifestyle. It’s difficult enough to be sick during good times. No one can afford to get sick during bad times. Take care of yourself. Exercise, diet and stress management is even more important now.
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