Protecting Our Hearts, With No Cost Sharing

I couldn’t remember the last time I had my cholesterol screened.

That probably isn’t a good thing given that there is a history of heart disease in my family. But I kept coming up with excuses not to get tested – I already have a lot of doctor appointments - I don’t have a primary care provider - I eat healthy - I’m too young to worry about cholesterol.

Then the health care law was passed and, after a few months, all new health plans had to provide certain preventive services with no cost sharing.

Eliminating the small copay for my preventive visit may not have been much, but it meant one less hurdle. I also started thinking about why these services are required to be provided with no cost sharing. Preventive services are important.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. Heart disease can often be prevented. A simple cholesterol screening can let a woman know she has high cholesterol. Counseling from her primary care provider can let her know that increased exercise and a low cholesterol diet may reduce her cholesterol and decrease her chance of heart disease.

So last December, I finally found a primary care doctor in my network and made an appointment. And guess what? My cholesterol is high.*

Now I know and I can make changes to protect my heart.

*Although my cholesterol is high, I have a need to let you know that my HDL/LDL ratio is really good.