“High-deductible plans are really the epitome of the access-to-care problem. People don’t have the liquid cash to meet their deductible, so you see delays in care or even avoiding treatment altogether.” –Dr. Veena Shankaran, Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Raise your hand if you’re coming up on your yearly visit to your GYN’s office to check if your HPV is still present? Maybe you’re about to embark on a sexual relationship with a new partner and you want to be uber responsible and get checked, but you want to avoid answering uncomfortable questions from your doctor about your sexual history.
Or perhaps you suspect something’s up with your hormones and want to get a hormone panel but realize it can cost anywhere between $800 and $1,500 dollars, and you have a $3,000 deductible to meet.
There are many barriers preventing women from taking care of their health needs. Thankfully, there’s incredible innovation taking place in women’s health care that is making it easier for women to engage in their health and save money!
At-home testing
Home testing can come with incredible financial advantages. Some tests such as Eve Kit’s HPV testing cost $89. NURX Full Control STI Kit, tests for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and Hepatitis C and Urine test, throat swab, rectal swab, blood spot card, and costs $75 with insurance or $220 out of pocket.
One of my favorite self-monitoring tools that I highly recommend for my clients, is Modern Fertility . Since I often work with clients that struggle with their menstrual cycles, this test helps provide a baseline for where they are. Modern fertility tests for, estradiol, thyroid TSH, testosterone and more, and cost only $159.
Discuss with you doctor
With health care costs predicted to continue rising, I encourage women to be empowered and knowledgeable about what’s going on in their bodies, and take their health into their own hands. However, as you embark on the world of self testing, be sure to partner with a doctor who’s trained in the intricacies of your needs.
Manipulating your test results should not be a project you do with Google. It’s critical to team up with a doctor or a functional practitioner, such as myself, to help make sense of your home-test results and lead you in the right direction.
Save money on tests, partner on plan
The moral of the story is, don’t turn your body into a DIY project. Google is great but when interpreting results such as cortisol–which measures your adrenal performance and stress–make sure to partner with a specialist before you start going down the road of panic or creating a treatment plan by yourself that is above your paygrade (binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t make you an expert).
Testing is a critical step in understanding your reproductive, sexual and general health. This is a perfect starting point for those who want to take a first step in assessing their own health status before turning to more expensive alternatives.
We’re changing the narrative around money but change can’t happen with a one-sided conversation. Send us an email and let us know what you think. And remember the nav.it money app offers you free tools for checking in and managing your money moves.
You can download it at Google Play and the Apple Store.
