The Power of Wellness Programs: How Health Insurance Encourages a Healthier Lifestyle
Health insurance makes appropriate care for various health outcomes financially accessible. By providing a wide array of services for primary prevention, chronic disease management, and general health, health insurance guarantees the most benefits out of your interactions with healthcare providers and institutions. Thus, having health insurance is associated with better health outcomes, lower death rates, and improved productivity. [1] While those having health insurance enjoy extensive insurance benefits based on personal health including self-reported overall health status, those uninsured are exposed to higher health risk largely because of delayed diagnosis.
In this article, you will discover how having health insurance promotes better health and encourages a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, it will elaborate on the wealth of benefits covered by health insurance in the Philippines.
The Role of Health Insurance in Promoting Health
Health insurance plans assure immediate financial help in cases of medical emergency. Studies confirm that coverage improves access to care; supports positive health outcomes, including the insured’s sense of their health and well-being; and reduces financial strain on individuals and their families. [2] Thereby safeguarding individuals from financial distress when unfortunate circumstances happen.
According to the data compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority from January to June 2021, the top three causes of death in the country are ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease including strokes and aneurysms, neoplasms, or cancers. [3] Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 68% of deaths in the Philippines are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. [4] NCDs typically stem from genetics or lifestyle choices rather than infections. Thus, motivating Filipinos to embark on their fitness journeys. However, beyond personal efforts, setting up a portion of your income is essential for comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Regular check-ups included in health insurance policies can help in the early detection of chronic illnesses. This is particularly crucial because, as illustrated in diabetes prevention, uninsured adults are less likely to receive the professionally recommended standard of care than those who have health insurance. Similarly, for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that necessitate not only routine check-ups but also active patient involvement in behavior changes and continuous monitoring, health insurance enhances opportunities to acquire a regular source of care. [5]
Not only that, health insurance also provides financial security since it enables people to obtain better medical care while reducing the cost of medication and hospitalization during the treatment of various diseases. [6] Thereby, assuaging health woes.
Key Benefits of Health Insurance
The key benefits of health insurance lie in providing easy access to primary prevention and screening services, cancer care, chronic disease care, and hospital-based care.
The comprehensive coverage of health insurance plans positively impacts health-seeking behavior, ensuring individuals do not forgo routine check-ups due to the elimination of financial barriers to timely medical care. Additionally, it plays a key role in mitigating the risks faced by the uninsured who often experience worse prognoses and higher mortality rates than persons with insurance, largely attributable to delayed diagnosis. [7]
With the growing awareness of the perils of chronic illnesses, like cancer, early prevention is crucial. More so, because the World Health Organization confirms that between 30% to 50% of cancer deaths can be prevented through early detection of cancer and appropriate treatment and care. Fortunately, health insurance in the Philippines recognizes this need and offers a variety of options and benefits that may be a good fit for you. Pru Life UK, a top player in the life insurance industry, likewise offers health insurance policies.
Pru Life UK offers packages centered on chronic illnesses like PRUHealth Prime, PRUHealth FamLove, and PRUHealth Prime-Select Breast Cancer. Let’s go over these plans briefly.
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PRUHealth Prime. This is an investment-linked life and health insurance plan designed to address the financial risks of cancer. It lessens finance worries through a 50% cash out upon diagnosis of pre-defined early-stage cancer and allows your health fund to grow with its investment component. This plan is payable for 20 years with the minimum sum assured of PhP 500,000.
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PRUHealth FamLove. This health insurance plan is the first-of-its-kind product in the market allowing four family members to share in one policy. Its unique features also include the implementation of the System and Organ Function Insurance (SOFI) concept which provides coverage for severe illness, surgery or when any of the covered systems or organs has been impaired of needs to undergo surgery. without the hassle of remembering the long list of critical illnesses. This plan is renewable yearly and provides long-term coverage.
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PRUHealth Prime-Select Breast Cancer. Being the first breast-cancer-specific life insurance product in the market, this plan is affordable at P150 (Basic) and P425 (Extra) and easily accessible via Pulse, Pru Life UK’s health management app. The Basic plan covers a diagnosis benefit, while the Extra covers both diagnosis and surgical benefits. The coverage period is 12 months from the coverage start date.
In light of the unpredictable nature of medical emergencies, it is crucial to secure a health insurance plan to alleviate financial concerns related to health and wellness. Preparing for your health and wellness journey by selecting a suitable health insurance plan means ensuring that healthcare costs are effectively mitigated when the need arises.
Conclusion
Indeed, the pivotal role of health insurance in promoting better health and encouraging a healthier lifestyle cannot be overlooked. By eliminating financial barriers to healthcare during medical emergencies, health insurance not only ensures timely intervention but also bridges the gap to appropriate healthcare providers, thereby supporting quality healthcare delivery.
In the Philippine context, insurance companies are aware of the risks faced by Filipinos, such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. As early diagnosis and detection are crucial in these types of illnesses, securing health insurance is necessary to ease financial burdens when the need arises.
Don’t hesitate to contact Pru Life UK today, or visit our FAQ page. Stay up-to-date with the latest news by following our social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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