What Are the 10 Essential Coverage for Health Insurance?
(And Why You’ll Want Suzie at Wenatchee Insurance on Speed Dial)
Health insurance can feel like a magical mystery tour, except it’s more like a trip through paperwork and less like a rock concert. But don’t worry! Suzie from Wenatchee Insurance is here to save the day, kind of like a superhero, but instead of a cape, she has a computer full of insurance plans. Let’s take a look at the 10 essential coverages that every health insurance plan must have (thanks, Affordable Care Act!), and how they make life easier here in Eastern Washington.
1. Ambulatory Patient Services (aka Your Everyday Doctor Visits)
You wake up, sneeze three times, and suddenly, you’re Googling “Is sneezing a sign of a rare disease?” Instead of spiraling down the rabbit hole of WebMD, you can make a quick visit to your doctor. Ambulatory services cover routine check-ups and visits to specialists. Suzie’s here to make sure you’re covered whether you’re seeing Dr. Jones down the street or a specialist for your “seasonal allergies” (also known as dust from last year’s ski gear).
2. Emergency Services (When Skiing Goes Wrong)
Imagine this: you’re having the best day at Mission Ridge, catching air and looking like a pro. Then… BAM! You misjudge a jump and suddenly find yourself needing an ambulance. Don’t panic—your health insurance has you covered for all those “Oops, I did something dumb” moments. Emergency services mean that your insurance will handle that surprise ER trip.
3. Hospitalization (If You Need More Than Just a Band-Aid)
Okay, so your skiing mishap turned into something bigger when you escaped Bigfoot on Stevens Pass. Maybe you need surgery or a few days in the hospital. Hospitalization coverage makes sure you don’t have to start a GoFundMe to pay your medical bills. Let’s find you a plan with a higher success rate.
4. Maternity and Newborn Care (Because Babies Don’t Come Cheap)
Expecting a baby? Congratulations! Maternity and newborn care are essential coverages, so whether you’re welcoming your little bundle of joy in Wenatchee or elsewhere in North Central Washington, you won’t have to sell the farm for the newest hand. Suzie’s got the inside scoop on which plans make it easier to manage prenatal visits, delivery, and all those newborn checkups. Postnatal Care is important and we have additional resources in Washington State.
5. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services (We All Need Therapy Sometimes)
Let’s face it—life can be stressful. Maybe you’ve binge-watched House one too many times and are now convinced you have every rare condition ever featured on the show. Good news! Your health insurance covers mental health services, so you can talk to a therapist and work through your House-induced hypochondria. Happy brain coverage while easier than before the ACA, is still not always the fastest hunt in Eastern Washington.
6. Prescription Drugs (AKA The “Why Is This So Expensive?” Coverage)
When your doctor prescribes medication, you shouldn’t have to choose between paying for your meds or your next Netflix subscription. Prescription drug coverage means you’ll get help with the cost of necessary medications. Suzie can point you to plans that cover the things you need, whether it’s allergy meds, insulin, or that mystery cream for the rash you got hiking up Saddle Rock.
7. Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services (Getting You Back on Your Feet, Literally)
If your big skiing adventure left you needing physical therapy, you’re in luck. Rehabilitative services are designed to help you recover from injuries, illnesses, or even surgeries. Suzie will ensure your plan covers those sessions where you learn to bend your knee again without yelping like a golden retriever stepping on a Lego.
8. Laboratory Services (Testing Without the Guessing)
Routine blood work or diagnostic tests? No problem! You don’t have to skip your annual check-up at Confluence Health just because you’re worried about the cost of tests. It seems like when you get over forty the doctors have a fleet of tests for you. There are a variety of options when it comes to how an insurance company handles this.
9. Preventive and Wellness Services (Keeping You from Becoming a WebMD Expert)
Preventive care is like that nagging friend who reminds you to take care of yourself—except now it’s your insurance! Whether it’s vaccines, screenings, or a flu shot from your local pharmacy, preventive care is 100% covered. Little work now to prevent the big job later.
10. Pediatric Services, Including Oral and Vision Care
Got kids? Your insurance will cover regular check-ups, dental care, and vision tests for them. Suzie can help you find a family-friendly plan so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket when little Johnny needs glasses because they spent too much time squinting at their phone playing Monopoly Go!
Conclusion
Choosing the right health insurance plan doesn’t have to feel like running a marathon in flip-flops. With Suzie and Wenatchee Insurance, you’ll have an expert who can help you navigate the corn maze of coverages and find a plan that fits your needs. Whether you’re in Wenatchee, Colville, or anywhere in Eastern Washington, you’ve got someone in your corner who knows the ins and outs of health insurance—and has a heck of a butterfly collection!
While we do have Open Enrollment from November 1st through January 15th, there are also Special Enrollment Periods (SEP). SEP are documented reasons like losing coverage from a job, low income, getting married, or even a tribal affiliation. Suzie likes to run the application to see if one of the conditions can trigger an immediate enrollment or else we are prepared for the next Open Enrollment Period in fall.
You do not have to go alone when you have Suzie on your insurance team.
Topics: health insurance, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, health alliance, wellcare, Molina, humana, Suzie, Chelan County, Okanogan, Grant County, Douglas County, 509, Leavenworth, Quincy, Cashmere, Entiat,