Insurers often cover the cost of pain management procedures, including surgical procedures and prescription medications. However, coverage for these procedures can vary widely depending on your plan. Fortunately, most health plans cover the costs of pain management, and they usually cover regular specialist visits as well. When you’re choosing a pain management insurance policy, make sure to consider the age and health of the person you’re insuring.
Why Pain Management Is Important
Pain management services are a necessary part of the treatment of chronic pain, but Medicare coverage is often inadequate. In addition, coverage periods are limited and benefits vary widely among chronic pain patients. For example, the recently released final rule for physician fee schedules included significant cuts in payment for epidural injections in the office, but a 20% increase in payments for the same services performed in hospital outpatient departments.
Chronic pain is a growing public health problem, and insurance benefits are not keeping up. The Institute of Medicine has documented that the United States is facing a chronic pain epidemic. Unfortunately, our current healthcare system isn’t equipped to deal with the problem. This leaves patients with chronic pain facing endemic barriers to care, including inadequate coverage and reimbursement for evidence-based therapies. In addition, the traditional, reductionist approach to pain management has failed to meet the needs of patients. Instead of prescribing pain medications, physicians should instead focus on a biopsychosocial approach to pain management.
Pain management requires comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment across the healthcare system. It includes physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and stress management. Additionally, it requires a comprehensive evaluation of pain severity. The benefits package should include at least three months of coverage for integrated pain treatment. The coverage should also cover chronic pain treatments that require ongoing therapy.
Most state-based coverage policies do not address nonpharmacological treatments for chronic pain. Nonpharmacological therapies for pain include acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback. These nonpharmacological treatments may help to mitigate the opioid crisis. As a result, a better EHB plan coverage of non-drug therapies could help to address this crisis and advance the trajectory of pain care in America. If you have chronic pain, it is essential to have access to the best pain management options.
Why Having Insurance Is Important
Chronic pain is a serious problem for millions of Americans, yet the vast majority do not have the insurance coverage to receive the appropriate treatment for their conditions. Lack of pain management has a variety of consequences, including longer hospital stays and readmission rates, higher costs of generic prescription drugs, and decreased return to normal function. It also places an emotional burden on patients and their families.
Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded access to pain management services, many people still do not have the coverage they need. Many people are underinsured, and many spend more than 10% of their income on medical bills. Pain is a subjective experience, and doctors often have varying opinions about how to treat it.
Insuring Your Loved Ones
Pain management is a common part of many health insurance plans. It can include prescription medications, surgical procedures, or regular specialist visits. Make sure that you check with your insurance provider to see what their specific policy will cover. You may be surprised to find out that some policies cover more than others.
Age and Health Considerations
When purchasing pain management insurance, age and health factors should be considered. Older adults are the biggest consumers of over-the-counter pain medication (OTC) options. In fact, more than half of American adults between the ages of 50 and 80 take two or more of these nonprescription medications or supplements every day. However, these types of medications can carry serious risks, and these risks are even greater when you’re older.