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5 Procedures That May Not Be Covered by Health Insurance

Having health insurance coverage is crucial not only in case…
a pair of glasses on a table

Having health insurance coverage is crucial not only in case of an accident or if you come down with a serious illness (COVID-19 really scared many people for this reason as well) and because access to preventive health care is key to staying happy and healthy. Did you know, according to the United States Census Burau, 26.1 MILLION people in the United States lacked any health insurance coverage for the whole year in 2019? The most common reason to not have adequate health insurance coverage is unaffordable out-of-pocket costs.

Comparing health insurance with iSelect can help you get the health care coverage you need at a price you can afford. However, no health care plan is perfect and there’s always a risk that certain procedures may not be covered under every health plan. Check out five procedures that may not be covered under your health coverage:

1. Certain Dental Procedures

Since dental is often considered an “extra” under your coverage options, it’s important to look for what is covered regarding dental care when looking for health insurance coverage through a health insurance marketplace such as iSelect. Be sure to talk to a trained consultant in the health insurance marketplace to discuss your individual best health insurance plans. This will also give you access to important deadline reminders and any special enrollment periods.

If you and your family have healthy teeth, you may save some money with mere general dental coverage. However, if your teeth have seen better days and/or someone needs a brace, you’re going to want to ensure you’re covered for major dental. Either way, you’re going to want some coverage for preventive care.

2. Laser Tattoo Removal

The Cleveland Clinic notes that roughly 25 percent of the entire United States population (and roughly half of millennials) have a tattoo. They also note that as tattoo popularity goes up, so does tattoo regret and the number of laser tattoo removal patients. Since tattoo removal is generally considered “cosmetic,” it is doubtful that any health insurance plan will cover it.

Are you wanting to get an unwanted tattoo removed? Consider laser tattoo removal Austin where you’ll get treated with superior laser tattoo removal technology, resulting in the complete removal of your tattoo artist’s work. The Fresh Start Laser RemovalClinic’s experienced technicians use the latest laser tattoo removal technology to remove more tattoo ink colors on all skin types. This technology uses more wavelengths in one laser allowing for fewer treatments without additional scarring.

Another bonus is that their use of Cryotherapy makes the tattoo removal process far less painful. If you’re considering getting one of your tattoos removed, call the Fresh Start Laser Tattoo Removal Clinic in Austin, TX. for a free consultation! Note: Prices will vary depending on the size of the tattoo.

3. Certain Prescription Drugs

An Investopedia article from 2019 noted four common services and procedures not usually covered by health care plans, two of which are worth noting in this section. The first is “off-label prescriptions” meaning that if your prescription drug plan doesn’t recognize the drug you’ve been prescribed for treating the issue your doctor says it does, they will often deny it. Consider having your doctor file a claim for this one and go back to the pharmacy.

The second is fertility treatments. While most health insurance won’t cover the cost of fertility treatments, treatment rules vary by state,e and your health insurer must pay for the testing to diagnose infertility.

4. Eye Screenings

2018 article from NPR reported that, when it comes to vision care, it’s “not an uncommon problem” for people to “fall through the cracks” either because people prioritize other medical concerns or because “comprehensive coverage” is usually only achieved through subtype plans. Therefore, not enough people are receiving proper eye screenings even though an estimated 16 million people in the United States have “ ‘refractive’ errors in their vision that could be fixed.”

5. Cosmetic Procedures

Much like tattoo removal, having basically anything on your body removed will not be covered by your insurance due to being considered “cosmetic” (unless it causes you pain or poses a medical risk). The previously mentioned Investopedia article notes that a lot of services meant to “improve someone’s exterior appearance” are “not covered by typical plans.” Examples include noncancerous skin lesions (such as moles, skin tags, or cysts that aren’t painful or posing infection/cancer risk), laser hair removal, plastic surgery, etc.