Discover Freedom Through Preventative Healthcare
In the maze of modern healthcare, where costs continue to steadily climb, one clear and rational path emerges: Preventative care. It’s more than just a buzzword tossed around by traditional health insurance, healthsharing companies, and health enthusiasts alike – it’s a transformative approach to maintaining well-being. Imagine shifting the odds in your favor not by merely reacting to health issues, but by actively preventing them. This is where preventative care shines, offering potential not only to save costs but also to improve your overall quality of life. So, what exactly does preventative care entail, and how can you integrate it into your lifestyle to navigate today’s complex healthcare landscape?
Preventative care can mean a lot of different things, but researchers have broken the term down into 3 main categories: Primary, secondary, and tertiary care. Primary preventative care is going to look like a lot of those measures you can add to your lifestyle on your own: A physical activity routine that works for you, a balanced diet, educational materials about healthy lifestyle habits, and check-ins with your counselor or other mental health professionals. Secondary measures would be those regular exams with your primary care physician, mammograms and other routine screenings, or doing more detailed diet, vitamin, and exercise programs that target your specific health concerns. Tertiary preventative care measures are for those with chronic or long-term illnesses who want some help increasing their quality of life – things like chronic illness support groups, rehabilitation programs, or physical therapies. These examples are by no means an exhaustive list of all the preventative care options out there, but you can already see just how many options you have when it comes to tailoring preventative care to work for you.
When it comes to preventative care, the next big question is usually, “How much is this going to cost me?” And what a great question that is! In general, this is a question only you can answer, because you are the one who ultimately decides what value you place on maintaining your health and how you approach time and financial planning. There is a lot of data out there that suggests preventative health services and screenings lower the overall amount you’ll spend on healthcare in your lifetime. But that’s not the most encouraging outcome from those studies; many reported that, even in those cases where more money was spent in preventative services, there was a clear and measurable increase in the quality of life for those who invested time and money in preventative care. Many studies report that the overall health and well-being of those who did seek preventative care increased. That’s why preventative care has really become a conversation about the value of quality healthcare – would you rather spend a little upfront on a dietician or a personal trainer who understands your health goals, or navigate the stress of preventable health conditions and their associated medical costs later down the line? Not everyone has the freedom to answer that question, but for those who do, it’s one worth considering because essentially, you’re not just deciding what value to place on your health today – you’re planning your future health and financial well-being.
At WeShare, we prioritize preventative care as the cornerstone of our healthcare approach, encouraging our members to maximize their membership benefits through the amazing partnerships we have with some of the leading health brands on the market.
While each healthsharing program will have its own plan for getting you the preventative care you need, most programs do completely share the cost of annual physicals and preventative health exams, and some programs (including ours!) also offer discounts on monthly membership contributions for those who meet certain health markers or complete certain health management programs or activities. And at WeShare specifically, there is no limit or maximum to the sharing you can receive for annual check-ups and preventive exams. This helps you prioritize getting the care you need, without worrying about whether or not your medical bills will be taken care of.
There is a distinct difference in how traditional health insurance plans and healthsharing organizations talk about and pursue preventative care. With traditional health insurance, you’re probably only going to get coverage for preventative services that specifically address physical health. While that’s very important, at WeShare we believe that your overall health and well-being contribute to what it means to be healthy. We want you to be holistically healthy, taking advantage of preventative care that nurtures your mind, body, and soul.
Beyond those sharing benefits that you receive with membership, we also have a few partnerships that will equip you with lifestyle choices to help you approach preventative care from a holistic perspective. As a member, you’ll receive access to programs like Fitbod (a specialized workout planning app), Noom (a platform that helps you understand the why and how behind your nutrition and health goals), and HelloFresh (a healthy meal plan delivery system). Partnerships with BetterHelp (an online counseling service) and RightNow Media (a faith-based content platform) help you navigate preventative care for your mental and spiritual health, too.
