Seriously y’all.
Health insurance is an important financial scheme that helps protect a person’s finances in the event of illnesses. However, Nigeria’s dearth of education about the subject has led to the perpetuation of myths and misconceptions about it, which is a major reason why a large number of people still don’t have one.
The aim of this article is to dispel the many myths surrounding the concept of health insurance by giving you the tea on what is real and what isn’t.
Let’s get into it.
1. “No need to get insurance at a young age.”
The hilariously terrible thing about the meat suit that houses your skeletons and organs is how fragile and susceptible it is to (external) damage. Not to be a downer but you’re not Superman, which means that your current youth and vitality isn’t going to matter if you get hit by a truck tomorrow and need to be hospitalized for proper treatment. This is why health insurance plans exist for all age groups.
In fact, buying and renewing a health insurance policy at a young age is advised because it leads to higher sums and better claim experiences later in life (when you need it).
2. “Getting health insurance indirectly means that I’m inviting illnesses into my life.”
Look at it this way: If anthropomorphic illnesses (or some babalawo with a bag of illnesses) wanted to attack you, they wouldn’t wait till you got health insurance. They’d take a page out of Nike’s book and just do it.
The idea of health insurance is to be prepared for any health problems that MIGHT occur.
3. “My health insurance won’t cover all my medical conditions.”
All health insurance companies have a list of all the medical conditions covered by each plan in the clauses section. Your insurance will cover whatever illness you’re getting treated for as long as it’s covered in the plan.
4. “My health insurance won’t cover the full hospital bill.”
Health insurance plans actually cover the full hospital bill, not part. If whatever you’re getting treatment for is covered on your plan, then your insurance will cover the full cost.
5. “I will start enjoying the benefits of my health insurance from the moment I buy it.”
Even though most health insurance plans have a waiting period of at least 30 days, some benefits can be enjoyed from scratch. However, this depends on agreements made before purchasing the plan. Accidents and emergencies aren’t the only things covered from scratch too.
6. “My health insurance will cover all my pre-existing health conditions.”
Health insurance policies generally cover pre-existing health conditions but only after a waiting period (which can range from 3 months – 4 years). The only requirement here is that the person discloses all their pre-existing conditions when buying the policy. A common example of this is pregnancies.
7. “I’m going to get the cheapest health insurance possible because they’re all the same thing.”
The best health insurance plans aren’t determined by their prices but by the benefits they offer. This also works the other way around. When presented with plans, don’t immediately go for the most expensive one because “it has to be the best, given its price.”
These days, plans are designed to fit people’s lifestyle and budget so the most expensive might not necessarily be what fits you. For instance, there’s no need for you to get a family plan when you’re single and hustling. Just look around, you’ll most likely find something that fits.
