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Shingles: Prevention & Insurance Coverage
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 out of every 3 people will have shingles at some point in their lives. The condition, which is also called herpes zoster, is one in which a person typically develops open sores and skin damage. If you have overcome chickenpox, it is possible for you to develop shingles as well. There are various things you should know about shingles, and that includes whether health insurance covers it. To learn more about it, read this guide. Keep in mind this guide is not designed to provide medical advice and instead is meant to provide health insurance insight.
What Causes Shingles?
Understanding shingles causes can help you to know what to expect for this condition. The conditions is caused by a specific virus, called the varicella-zoster virus, or VZV. This is the same virus that can cause a person to develop chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox in your past, that means the virus is already present in your body. It remains there, dormant, for years. Why it becomes active at some point, doctors do not fully understand. It is also important to know that children can get shingles, but it is more common for those who are older.
Shingles Risk Group
As noted, you are at a higher risk of having shingles if you have had chickenpox in the past. That does not mean everyone who has had shingles will develop this condition, though. Researchers continue to learn more about this condition, including why it can become active in some situations and not in others.
Symptoms of Shingles
The signs of shingles can begin with a rash. It can be very painful and usually occurs on just one side of the body or, more specifically, the face. The rash itself will have various areas of scabs and blisters. Most of the time, they will scab over within 10 days. The rash will then fade over the next few weeks. Other symptoms of the condition include fevers, stomach pain, headaches, and the chills.
Prevention of Shingles
Is it possible to prevent shingles? It is possible to prevent it. When you see your doctor for your routine medical screenings, ask for the shingles vaccination. This has been a recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for many years for those who are over the age of 50. This can help to prevent the onset of the virus and helps to keep your healthy long term.
Health Insurance Coverage for Shingles
If you have shingles, visit your doctor or medical center for help. In most situations, your health insurance policy will cover shingles care, including shingles vaccinations that could help prevent you from getting this condition. It is important to learn as much as you can about shingles and health insurance coverage for shingles. Your policy may require that you obtain care through a specific provider. You may also find that shingles care is available to you for most health needs.
When choosing health insurance coverage that includes care for conditions like shingles can be very important. Most of the time, your average health insurance policy will cover this type of illness, but you may find that some lower levels of coverage may have limited coverage. Take the time to review your coverage to know what your options are. If you are at a higher risk for having shingles for any reason, be sure your health insurance policy offers a lower deductible and quality prescription medication coverage.
If you have shingles right now and you are trying to buy health insurance, you should not have any difficulties obtaining it. You may find that shingles is relatively common, and that means most companies build in risk factors for this type of condition into their policy. You should be able to receive care through your standard doctor’s appointment.
If you have shingles, you can expect to need medications and, in some cases, pain management help. The right health insurance policy can make it easy for you to manage your health needs. Be sure to choose a quality health plan with comprehensive coverage.
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