You can be on the left side of the fence or the right; you may even still be on the fence. But the one thing that we can all agree on is the desire to have health care coverage for you and your family. For better or worse, health care coverage (or lack thereof) is something that affects everyone, and it’s a highly relevant topic right now

In fact, the U.S. House recently pulled the Republicans’ bill that would have repealed the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as ‘ObamaCare’) and ushered in the era of the American Health Care Act. For now, though, ObamaCare remains the system in place.

The world of health care can be terribly hard to understand, though. So let’s delve into the basics of ObamaCare and see what’s covered and what isn’t. We’ll also provide some resources for you to learn how to treat particular health problems with natural medicine or approaches.

(We’ll try and keep it as simple, clear, and concise as possible!)

How Does ObamaCare Work?

An important fact to consider is that ObamaCare does not create health insurance. In March 2010, Obama signed it in as a reform law which he intended to regulate and expand the availability of quality, affordable health insurance.[1]

By 2014, ObamaCare required Americans to keep their then-current health insurance plan or get a new one. Over 85 percent of Americans already have health coverage from through Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurers, and 50 percent of people receive coverage through their employer. This shows that a lot of people actually have some form of insurance that complies with Obama’s reform law.

However, the approximately 13 percent of Americans without coverage still need to obtain health insurance. Their only other options are to qualify for and get an exemption (i.e., regular or hardship exemptions), or pay a monthly fee on their tax returns for each one they remain uninsured. To avoid the fee, you will need to get Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) which is simply explained in the short video below:[2]

Can I Afford ObamaCare?

If you are someone who makes less than $46,680 or has a family of 4 and earning $95,400, you may be eligible for either free or low-cost health insurance. (This is the minimum income you need for ObamaCare.) These benefits come in the form of things like tax credits and cost assistance subsidies. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state, however, so be sure to consult your health insurance marketplace, or the ‘exchange.’ You should also make sure you aren’t buying short-term health insurance because while it will protect you from the monthly fee, your actual health coverage will be limited.[1][3]

Feel free to use this guide to buying the best health care with tips you may find helpful!

Okay, the above information is a very basic overview of what ObamaCare is, what it does, and who needs coverage. But what about the things that my health care plan actually covers?

What ObamaCare Covers

This is a challenging question to address because an accurate answer requires personal details about your family’s income, medical history, and where you live. Generally, it helps reduce health care costs and ensures that you have access to the most important services (i.e., essential health benefits) you and your family need.

10 Essential Health Benefits According to ObamaCare

Under ObamaCare, every plan in the marketplace across all states must cover this minimum set of health services:[4,5]

• Ambulatory patient services (i.e., outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)

• Emergency services

• Hospitalization (e.g., surgery or overnight stays)

• Pre- and post-pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care

• Mental health and substance use disorder services (e.g., behavioral health treatment, counseling, and psychotherapy)

• Prescription drugs

• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (e.g., treatments that can help you recover from a stroke or help a child with autism spectrum disorder learn to speak)

• Laboratory services

• Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management

• Pediatric services (i.e., dental and vision care)

On the surface, ObamaCare seems to cover many of the health benefits that you’ll likely need at some point. Be sure to research the nuances, though, because these services are covered to varying degrees depending on where you live. It’s unfortunate that we have to worry about nitty gritty details such as these, but that’s the world of insurance.

9 Health Services that ObamaCare Does Not Cover (and Natural Medicine Alternatives)

Under each one, we list resources to natural medicine and approaches that you can use to treat yourself. Oftentimes, we don’t need drugs or a trip to the emergency room to treat our issues. Instead, alternative therapies, natural medicine, or a simple glass of water will usually make a world of difference without any of the nasty side effects. You’ll see as we delve into the following list.[6,7,8,9]

1. Long-Term Care

When it comes to illnesses or accidents, those with health insurance should have no issue getting coverage. But, ironically, ObamaCare does not cover the long-term care that comes as a result of said illness or accident. This refers to the assistance you may need with dressing, eating, and bathing.

Because of this, many families must resort to extra long-term care or life insurance policies which means spending more money. Let’s say you want or need to stay at a nursing home in a semi-private room. You’ll be looking at an average cost of $6,844 per month (and more if it’s private)! If you’re still somewhat independent but require in-home care, the monthly cost is still quite steep at $3,861.

Alternative Approaches

• MEDCottages (or ‘Granny Pods’) are a perfect and potentially more cost-effective route for someone requiring long-term care. It gives families an opportunity to remain close to the member who’s in need while allowing them to maintain some of their independence and dignity. You can learn more about Granny Pods here!

2. Dental Care

Oral health is an essential health benefit, but one that stops once you turn eighteen. After that, adults get their dental coverage elsewhere. Some marketplace health insurance plans do take care of your teeth and gums, but you must buy it at the same time you buy your health insurance.

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• You’ll worry a lot less about losing teeth with this 6-minute cleaning routine

• Dentists reveal the very foods you need to stop eating to get rid of bad breath for good

• Avoid tooth decay with these natural methods for optimal oral hygiene

• Whiten your teeth naturally with this homemade turmeric toothpaste

3. Vision Care

The same age bracket applies to vision care as dental. Unlike dental care, however, anyone seeking vision coverage may need to look outside of the marketplace. Instead, they’ll buy a plan directly from an insurance company or through an insurance agent or broker.

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• 5 foods to eat if you want better eyesight and no, not carrots

• Foods high in vitamin A and these two supplements can help improve vision and eye health

• 10 easy and relaxing eye exercises that will reduce eye strain

• 8 more science-backed ways that you can protect your eyesight

4. Weight-Loss Surgery

One study estimates that the obesity epidemic accounts for about 18 percent of deaths in America, so it may be surprising that ObamaCare wouldn’t cover this kind of surgery.

While weight-loss surgery is a controversial topic for some, for the morbidly obese, bariatric surgery can be a life-saving procedure. However, if you are considering a weight-loss surgery, it costs $16,000 to $42,000 on average. That’s a figure which many people could not or would not spend. But there have been incredible body transformations made possible by hard work, eating right, and commitment to self.

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• 10 small fat-burning tweaks that will result in quick weight loss

• 3 easy-to-make drinks for weight-loss to have first thing in the morning

• Burn fat and lose weight with these daily 10-minute routines

• Make sure you understand these 7 lies about weight-loss before starting your journey

5. Alternative Medicine

There are many types of alternative medicines and therapies that ObamaCare won’t cover. The funny thing is that these apparent age-old “unconventional” approaches to medical care are often ones that Naturopathic Doctors and other health care practitioners use – successfully, too!

Some states – California, New Mexico, Washington, and Maryland – have made acupuncture an essential health benefit that marketplace health insurance plans cover. While this is definitely a small step forward, there is still a long way to go before the rest of the world sees natural medicine as a trusted, reliable, and arguably necessary alternative.

From acupuncture to aromatherapy, chiropractic care to massage therapy, and sound therapy to herbal remedies, you have other cheaper, healthier alternatives.

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• If you are at all dissatisfied with your doctor, you have natural alternative options

• One study suggests that chiropractic care (and exercise) are better for chronic pain than prescription drugs

• Relieve stress and anxiety in minutes with these reflexology hand massages

• Sound therapy is an underrated healing treatment and this is why you should try it

• Acupuncture may relieve pain, anxiety, depression, and help cure insomnia

6. Certain Medications

While ObamaCare lists prescription drugs as an essential benefit, this doesn’t guarantee that you will get the exact drug(s) you need. Insurance providers don’t necessarily cover every single prescription medication.

In fact, the nation’s two largest pharmacy benefit managers – Express Scripts and CVS Health – recently removed a total of 239 prescriptions from their formularies. Some of these drugs include ones for cancer, hepatitis, asthma, and arthritis. Instead, they’ll probably prescribe you generics that are cheaper (which will ideally help you spend less).

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• Studies reveal that nutrition could improve mental health more effectively than prescription drugs

• Overused prescription drugs can even cause us to lose our memory (so take these instead)

• These are the most widely prescribed drugs but their natural counterparts will surprise you

• Here are more prescription drugs and their natural replacements (the natural alternatives seem endless – and tasty)

7. Cosmetic Surgery

If you want to change your physical appearance solely based on aesthetics, you’re out of luck with ObamaCare. So you may want to start saving for that nose, breast, or buttock job you’ve been thinking of (But don’t – you’re beautiful the way you are). You’ll be looking at an average cost of $4,332 for a breast lift or $4,633 for a buttock lift.

In cases where someone has severe burns, his or her health care plan may consider covering the necessary procedures. But for now, let’s focus on the inexpensive alternatives that can help you look and feeling younger.

Natural Medicine Alternatives

• Prevent or reduce stretch marks with this homemade stretch mark cream

• 33 ways to use coconut oil in place of toxic beauty products

• Get rid of acne and scars with this lemon juice treatment twice a day

• Start eating these 10 foods to help you look years younger

8. Infertility Treatments

These have been historically excluded from health insurance plans. To date, only a couple of states offer marketplace plans that include infertility treatment coverage. According to The National Infertility Association, however, six states consider these treatments to be an essential health benefit. They include Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Hawaii.

Getting a diagnosis test usually costs a few hundred dollars. In addition, fertility drugs can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars while in-vitro fertilization (IVF) will cost an average of $10,000.

9. Abortion

Another controversial topic, there are currently twenty-five states whose marketplace health insurance plans do not cover abortion. Those that do tend to restrict exceptions to cases of rape, incest, or endangerment of a woman’s life. There are also six states that offer no abortion coverage at all.

The states of Hawaii and Vermont offer some plans that will cover a pregnancy termination. Though the cost of it can start from $400 and go up to $1,650. (Prices vary depending on the state, the facility, and how long the woman has been pregnant for.)

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.

The post 9 Things ObamaCare Doesn’t Cover: How to Use Natural Medicine Instead appeared first on The Hearty Soul.