With health insurance becoming more costly every year and employers increasingly offering plans that don’t cover certain procedures, affordable healthcare has become an important topic for Americans of all ages. While some may think that affordable healthcare only applies to those with no insurance coverage, there are plenty of cases where people who have health insurance don’t realize that their plan doesn’t cover certain procedures until it’s too late.
To help you and your family avoid this kind of surprise in the future, here are five affordable healthcare procedures every parent should know about.
1. Teeth Cleanings
A teeth cleaning is a routine dental appointment that can keep your teeth healthy and prevent cavities and gum disease. Dental cleanings are offered for children at least once every six months, but adults should visit the dentist once every year. One of the best benefits of teeth cleaning is it prevents bad breath!
For kids, most dentists use a laser to clean their teeth instead of scraping them with metal tools. The laser uses high-frequency sound waves to break up plaque on the surface of the teeth. For adults, this isn’t usually an option because it’s too difficult for them to open their mouths wide enough for this type of procedure. Dentists also use fluoride during children’s cleanings to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen their enamel.
If you’ve recently asked yourself “how much is Invisalign?” you should know that dental offices offer free or reduced-price teeth cleanings and other services to patients who can’t afford them. If a dental office doesn’t provide free or discounted products, it may offer an interest-free payment plan. To get the best deal, be sure to ask if there are any specials available for children or families.
2. Pediatric Benefits
As new parents, one of the first things you will want to do is make sure your children are protected. With new medical advancements, many benefits can be obtained for your children to stay healthy and strong throughout their lives.
Pediatric benefits like WIC, help ensure that children and pregnant women have access to important healthcare services and education on nutrition. Other benefits include glasses (no more squinting), physical exams (to check growth and development), vaccines (ensuring they’re in tip-top shape), and dental coverage (to get their teeth cleaned).
A physical can help you stay healthy and provide peace of mind for kids. The average cost for a physical range from $25-$75 depending on how extensive the exam is. This is an affordable way to find out if your child has any health concerns that need to be addressed right away or could lead to problems down the road.
But with all these wonderful benefits, there are some costs associated with them. Speak to a WIC representative to learn more about requirements and your family’s eligibility.
3. Medical Eye Exams
Vision insurance is an important benefit for every parent to have, not just those with kids with glasses. Regular visits to the optometrist can help your child develop good eye habits and catch any potential problems early on.
It’s never too early (or too late) to get a comprehensive eye exam. They’ll check your child’s visual acuity, which is the most basic type of testing, and they may also conduct other tests such as a peripheral examination or an ocular motility test.
If there are any problems found during the exam, they will offer you suggestions on how to help your child see better and/or what treatments might be needed in order to alleviate the symptoms of their condition.
Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend on healthcare, you can still invest in your child’s future and provide them with the care they need to see properly.
4. Free or Reduced Lunch
Free or reduced lunch programs can be a great way for parents to save money on healthcare procedures. Why not take advantage of this opportunity and share it with their children? If your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch, he/she may qualify for free school glasses, dental care, and more. Here are some procedures that may be available for free or reduced cost to those with qualifying incomes:
- Dental care (requires photo ID)
- Free eye exams and glasses for students in need
- Hearing tests (requires photo ID)
- Invisalign (in select areas)
5. Health Screenings
There are a lot of different health screenings that adults and children can benefit from. Here are some that you might not have heard of:
- A fasting blood glucose test is a simple blood test to check for diabetes.
- An oral cancer screening is a simple examination of the mouth with an instrument called an endoscope and it can help detect the presence of cancer in the mouth.
- A hearing exam can detect hearing impairment, balance problems, and other ear-related problems.
- Eye exams can diagnose common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Final Thoughts
Healthcare is expensive. There is no denying that. But, it’s not just the cost of healthcare that parents need to worry about – they also need to worry about their children’s health and well-being. And, the best way to do that is by making sure their children have access to affordable healthcare procedures that are within their means. This can be difficult when there are so many options out there and not everyone has a lot of money saved up for medical expenses. But, if you know where to look for affordable healthcare for your family, you may find some relief from the stress and anxiety that comes with high prices.