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Osteoporosis: Prevention & Insurance Coverage
When the bones become too weak and even brittle, a person may be suffering from a condition called osteoporosis. This condition can impact both men and women but tends to occur in women at a higher rate. It can be painful, and it can lead to long-term health risks. Your standard health insurance policy can help you with osteoporosis prevention and treatment if you get in for routine exams. Take a look at a few details of your health insurance coverage for osteoporosis medications and treatments. This is considered just information related to health insurance and not medical advice.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
A person with osteoporosis has bone tissue that is not being broken down and replaced in the normal pattern. Bone, which is living tissue, is constantly moving through this cycle, but when the pace of replacing new bone is too slow to keep up with the breakdown of old bone, this can cause osteoporosis. Most commonly, age is a primary factor because bone mass begins to fail as you get older. However, those with osteoporosis tend to not have enough bone mass stored during their younger years to accommodate this type of loss over time.
Osteoporosis Risk Groups
Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis risks are higher for those who are older, especially over the age of 60. Women are more likely to develop it than men, and those who are white or of Asian descent are more likely to have it. If you have a smaller body frame, that can also be a higher risk factor. Also, genetics plays a role. Osteoporosis is a hereditary condition to some degree.
Other risks include imbalances of hormones and dietary factors. Those who do not consume enough calcium throughout their lives or suffer from eating disorders are at a higher risk.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
The Mayo Clinic reports the most common symptoms of this condition include back pain, usually from a collapsed vertebra or from a fractured vertebra. It can also include loss of height over time and a stooped, bent over position. Those who have bones that break easily are also likely to have osteoporosis. It’s important to have routine testing for osteoporosis to ensure you are not at risk.
Prevention of Osteoporosis
Preventing osteoporosis is an option. Doctors can work with you to do this by improving your protein intake, managing your body weight, and increasing your calcium intake. It is also important to have an early warning if your levels begin to fall. This comes from routine blood tests for osteoporosis. Additionally, routine exercise, Vitamin D intake, and a healthy diet can also contribute to osteoporosis prevention.
Health Insurance Coverage for Osteoporosis
For men and women with osteoporosis, health insurance is likely to play a significant role in daily life. While this is a condition that may be managed, it may require ongoing medical evaluations, testing, and treatment to ensure your health and quality of life remain as high as possible. When it comes to your health insurance coverage for osteoporosis, be sure to consider long-term needs, such as the potential for more invasive procedures, ongoing bone density testing, and the DEXA scan, as well as other treatment options.
When choosing health insurance with osteoporosis, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you are able to get coverage if you have this condition. Even as a preexisting condition, most health insurance policies cover medical costs related to osteoporosis treatment. However, if you have specific doctors you like to use, or you want to only visit specific medical facilities, be sure the policy you select covers those providers specifically. You also want to be sure the company’s policy is extensive enough to cover more advanced needs.
Your health insurance can help with osteoporosis prevention, too. Wellness exams, which you should have at least one of every year, can help to monitor your bone health and, if there are risks, to monitor your calcium levels. The key here is that you need to visit your doctor’s routinely to get this care.
Preventing osteoporosis may be an option with routine medical screenings. Your health insurance can help cover the costs associated with those needs if you use it properly.
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