Is Ebola Covered by My Health Insurance Plan?
With the recent announcement that a case of Ebola has now been diagnosed in the United States, it’s a good time to review basic health hygiene rules.
It’s also worth asking: Is treatment of Ebola covered by your health insurance plan?
Let’s address these issues one at a time, starting with the second one.
Ebola and Your Health Coverage
Should you become ill, you’ll be glad to know your health insurance company probably covers you for treatment of Ebola to same the extent it covers treatment of other diseases – at least if you have a major medical plan that meets the benefit standards of the Affordable Care Act.
Keep in mind that you may still have to pay out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copayments and other forms of cost-sharing, when you actually receive medical treatment. Depending on your plan and situation, you may also need to visit in-network service providers.
There are some health insurance products, such as certain short-term health plans, that limit your coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or put lifetime dollar limits on the amount they will pay toward your medical bills. If you have such a product, you may want to consider switching to a major medical plan without these limitations when open enrollment begins on November 15, 2014.
If you’re traveling overseas and become ill, you should also be aware that your health insurance plan from home may or may not cover medical care you receive outside of the United States. Even if it does, you’ll typically have to pay for that care up front and then submit a claim for reimbursement on your return.
Anyone traveling overseas should consider a travel insurance plan, which can help you cover up-front medical costs and even provide you with evacuation to the United States in some cases.
If you have any questions about the coverage available to you under your personal or family health insurance plan, contact your licensed agent or health insurance company to learn more.
Health Hygiene in the Era of Ebola
Though Ebola has now been diagnosed in a patient within the United States (previous cases had been diagnosed overseas and the patients flown back to the U.S. for treatment), there is apparently no reason to panic according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).As discussed during the CDC’s briefing, strict measures will be applied to limit the spread of thedisease – and as of September 30, 2014, only one person has been diagnosed in the U.S. with the virus.What’s more, while Ebola is contagious, it’s generally not considered by the CDC to be the kind of virus that spreads through the air. The CDC states that Ebola typically spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is sick with the disease, contaminated objects such as needles and syringes, and infected animals.
That said, it’s a smart to review the rules for good hygiene during flu season, as some of these may help prevent the spread of other viruses like Ebola as well.
According to the U.S. government’s Department of Health and Human Services, here are five daily rules everyone can follow to help prevent the spread of flu and other viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Of course, if you have any reason to believe that you may have been exposed to Ebola – or if you’re showing concerning symptoms for any disease – be sure to contact your doctor’s office or hospital right away.
- See more at: http://blog.ehealthinsurance.com/2014/10/is-ebola-covered-by-my-health-insurance-plan/#sthash.4qJLnNgN.dpuf
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