Why the U.S. Health Insurance System Is Failing Us: A Call for Change
4/15/20262 min read
Understanding the Financial Landscape
The United States health insurance system can feel like navigating a maze that is never ending and never in your favor. It is frustrating, confusing, and often, downright expensive. For the average consumer, costs can spiral quickly, and the care is often not exactly what you needed.
Say you had been having low back pain for some time, and were finally ready to make a plan to manage your symptoms. A doctor’s visit can range from $100 to $300, depending on the provider and the services involved. If you need labs or follow up testing, you then need to seek out another office that has to be "in network" for your insurance to approve you. If you are referred to see a specialist, another medical professional, or a Physical Therapist, you have to be approved again just to find a knowledgeable professional that can help guide you on your recovery. This can take weeks, or even months depending on how many hoops you have to jump through.
Now, if you think about that in terms of a year, say you just visit the doctor just four times in that year. That’s between $400 and $1,200 that you have to spend before any additional lab tests, prescriptions, exercise specialists, or pain specialists. And your problems may not have been solved! During this same year, insurance companies are collecting 3 and 4 times that amount on just you going through these hoops. Does this seem fair to you?
Monthly Expenses That Add Up
Let’s break down those monthly expenses. The cost of premiums can be staggering, with families spending anywhere from $400 to more than $1,200 per month for health insurance. This means yearly, families can expect to pay upwards of $14,000 on average just to maintain their health insurance coverage! And don’t even get me started on deductibles! The sheer stress of these costs can lead to anxiety, chronic pain, and poor sleep. Factors that can severely impact our overall health and wellness. You may not even use all your benefits during that year, but still have to pay upwards of $14,000.
A Shift Towards Client-Centered Care
If this makes you feel frustrated, infuriated, or stuck in your current situation, you are not alone. It is a trap that has been meticulously formed over years and years, and is beginning to close in without a way out.
But there is some good news! There is a growing movement towards client-centered care, and care for you. Physicians, Physical Therapists, and Health Coaches are using their ethical skills to truly care for you without the limitations of health insurance. Cash-based practices and programs provide a detailed and personalized focus on your needs and your goals without having to answer to an insurance system. Health Coaching is on the rise, using virtual appointments for your convenience, true one-to-one engagement, and real care for you.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to advocate for changes in our health care system that prioritize your needs over their profits. The current health insurance model is the real enemy, and keeping your money from insurance companies will begin to make the changes you deserve. If we can shift the narrative and focus on client-centered care, we can make a difference together. Let’s embrace change, become proactive about our health, and bring the empowerment back to you!
Connect with Me
If you are interested in learning more about how to begin your fitness and wellness journey, how to create your own workouts, and how to finally feel comfortable and confident to return to hiking, backpacking, or climbing, connect with me for personalized 1:1 wellness coaching! Together, we will tailor a program designed specifically for you and your goals. You will get weekly accountability with video calls to discuss your wins and challenges, and will get individualized exercise plans to support your progress. Connect with me today!
— Coach Jim
Founder, Inner Summit Wellness
Helping hikers, backpackers, and climbers build resilient bodies for the outdoors.
