[ad_1]
- Nancy Anness is Chief Ascension Advocacy and Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
January is a time when many of us re-evaluate our habits and decide to adopt healthier habits. When planning a new exercise routine and researching meal plans, remember that purchasing health insurance is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term well-being.
Now is the time to find the right plan for you and your family. Open registration is there, and the markets are open for business.
People who do not receive health insurance through an employer or the government can choose an insurance policy from the individual and small group insurance market in their state.
Following:Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, community for each other | Opinion
Benefits of Medicare
Tennessee residents who don’t have health coverage for next year can visit HealthCare.gov to find a plan that best meets their needs until January 15.
Access to coverage is associated with many benefits, including receiving timely preventive care services, better chronic disease management, greater participation in the workforce, and longer life expectancy. .
Hear more voices from Tennessee: Receive the weekly opinion bulletin for insightful and thought-provoking columns.
Death rates are typically 25% higher among people without insurance. Having easy access to health care prevents higher insurance rates which lead to lower personal and overall costs.
According to the US Census Bureau, 28 million Americans had no health insurance at any time in 2020. Two million more people were uninsured in 2020 compared to 2019.
Following:COVID-19 Makes Medicaid Expansion Even More Vital | Opinion
Why Tennessee Residents Need Health Care Coverage
It is estimated that more than 836,000 Tennessee residents do not have insurance coverage, about 161,000 more than the previous year. This is one of the largest increases in the number of uninsured people by state in the country.
Hear the black voices of Tennessee: Receive the weekly newsletter for powerful and critical thought columns.
Residents of Tennessee must make their health plan decisions. There is financial help available – to those who qualify – in the form of grants that lower your monthly bill and reductions in out-of-pocket expenses such as co-payments and deductibles.
Consumers should also take advantage of in-person assistance and registration events available in their communities. It’s a smart investment in yourself, your family, and your health.
At Ascension Saint Thomas, we are committed to fulfilling our mission of providing personalized and compassionate care to all, and achieving 100% access and 100% coverage in the communities we serve. Caregivers want to see more people than ever receiving the care they need – with less difficulty paying.
If you do not have health insurance or if you are receiving individual or small group market insurance, please visit HealthCare.gov. You can also call 844 644-5443 to find the plan that’s right for you.
This crucial step will help keep you and your loved ones healthy in the New Year and beyond.
Nancy Anness is Chief Ascension Advocacy and Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
[ad_2]
