Years ago, a group of physicians came up with the idea of health insurance. This was the beginning of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Over the years, health insurance became a major part of American society. People now had access to many acute medical services because of health insurance.
Today, medical needs have changed. We need long-term therapies and medications. There is also a trend toward encouraging lifestyle changes that can prevent disease and illness. Medical insurance has been slow to cover these kind of therapies and programs.
The cost of health insurance has been growing by double digits for years. With higher deductibles and co-payments and limited access, the average American is paying more for health insurance and getting less in return. In addition, insurance rarely covers prevention or nontraditional therapies - even if there is proven benefit.
For example, we know that daily vitamins can reduce the risk of birth defects, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. We also know that some dietary supplements are effective for depression, congestive heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. There is credible medical evidence that specific changes in lifestyle, like diet, exercise and stress reduction, result in a decrease in diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and a number of other illnesses.
However, these therapies rarely are covered by insurance, even with a physician's prescription.
Things are changing.
In the Medicare drug bill passed last year, there is a provision called a health savings account. Given that about 45 million people cannot afford health insurance, this is a viable option that encourages individual choice and responsibility for health and disease prevention.
A health savings account works like this: The employer or individual signs up for an insurance plan with high deductibles, usually around $2,000 per person or $4,500 per family. The monthly cost for high-deductible health insurance is about $400 for a family of four. In contrast a traditional insurance premium, with a $1,000 to $2,000 deductible, can exceed $700 a month.
The $300 per month difference ($3,600 a year) goes into the health savings account. Medical expenditures come out of the health savings account until the deductible is met. After that, the insurance covers medical costs.
Health savings accounts can be used for many nontraditional therapies. Acupuncture, vitamins and dietary supplements (if prescribed by a medical doctor), therapy equipment, transportation costs, dental braces, chiropractic care, eyeglasses and more are covered.
There are significant advantages to health savings accounts: the money in the account is pre-tax dollars, money not used rolls over to the next year, and there is great latitude in how the money can be used.
With 70 percent of Americans having less than $500 a year in medical costs, a health savings account can grow rapidly, easily covering the high deductible. A decade of relative good health can result in a health savings account with over $35,000.
Americans are demanding greater choices in health care and now are getting the health insurance options to ensure their optimal health.
Patrick Massey MD, PhD
Medical Director, Integrative Medicine, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.
President, ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy
