How Affordable Health Insurance Can Support LGBTQ Employees and Family Members
7 Minutes
Team Curative
Jun 7, 2024
As today's workplaces strive to be diverse and inclusive, employers recognize the importance of providing comprehensive and affordable health insurance options that cater to the unique needs of their employees and their family members. The LGBTQ community faces distinct healthcare challenges and disparities. The best health insurance plans foster supportive and equitable healthcare that improves the overall work environment. Employers can enhance employee well-being and boost morale, productivity, and retention by prioritizing inclusive coverage and addressing specific health concerns.
Learn how affordable health insurance companies can support your LGBTQ employees through accessible preventive healthcare that focuses on well-being.
Health disparities in the LGBTQ community
Studies show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans experience worse health outcomes and greater difficulty accessing healthcare compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Many LGBTQ individuals delay seeking medical treatment due to fear of judgment or stigma, leading to worsening health conditions and delayed treatment.
Mental health challenges
Mental health is a crucial issue within the LGBTQ community. Discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion are prevalent, leading to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. These stressors can be compounded by the fear of coming out, family rejection, and the experience of hate crimes or bullying.
Research indicates that LGBTQ youth are particularly vulnerable, with alarmingly high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. The Trevor Project's 2023 survey revealed that 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, underscoring the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions.
Barriers to accessing healthcare
Expanding access to affordable health insurance coverage is a critical strategy for improving healthcare access for LGBTQ employees. According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, LGBTQ individuals are more likely to be concerned about medical bills, less likely to have a primary healthcare source, and more likely to delay care.
Curative’s survey of LGBTQ-identifying individuals highlighted significant challenges:
69% needed help understanding what was covered by their insurance company.
55% couldn't anticipate out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare services even if the health insurance plan covers them.
48% did not understand which doctors and hospitals are “in-network” and covered by the health insurance plan.
48% had trouble navigating their health insurance coverage.
47% had to jump through hoops to get the care they needed.
The importance of primary care
Primary care plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes for LGBTQ employees by providing consistent, comprehensive, and culturally competent care. Research shows that LGBTQ people are less likely to have a regular healthcare provider. LGBTQ people often face stigma, discrimination, and a lack of knowledgeable providers. By establishing a trusting relationship with a primary care physician who understands their specific needs, LGBTQ patients can receive more personalized and effective care.
Regular check-ups and screenings in primary care settings can detect health issues early, leading to better management of chronic conditions and preventing serious complications. For example, primary care physicians can monitor and address higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, which are more prevalent in the LGBTQ community. Additionally, they can provide essential services like HIV testing, PrEP prescriptions, and hormone therapy for transgender patients.
A primary care provider trained in LGBTQ health can also create a safe and welcoming environment, encouraging patients to discuss sensitive issues without fear of judgment. This openness enhances patient-provider communication, resulting in more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans. Additionally, primary care serves as a gateway to other necessary services, coordinating referrals to specialists sensitive to LGBTQ needs.
The role of preventive care
Preventive care can make a world of difference. When employees schedule and attend regular primary care appointments, they can address health issues early before they become more severe and costly to treat. Preventive care not only helps individuals maintain their well-being but also plays an important role in enhancing productivity in the workplace. It reduces presenteeism, where employees come to work but are less productive due to untreated health issues, and minimizes absenteeism, where employees skip work entirely because of illness.
To facilitate access to preventive care, health insurance providers must offer a seamless and flexible approach that includes both in-person and virtual healthcare visits. Your employees deserve to see top-notch clinicians in the best settings, ensuring convenience and continuity of care. Whether through a traditional office visit or a virtual consultation, healthcare providers need to deliver high-quality, personalized care that meets the diverse needs of your workforce. By making preventive care more accessible and convenient, employers can support their talent in leading healthier, more productive lives.
How Curative can help close the gap
Employers can close healthcare gaps in their organizations by providing personalized, accessible healthcare to LGBTQ employees and family members. Curative recognizes the importance of addressing health disparities affecting the LGBTQ population and is actively working to bridge these gaps. We train our staff on LGBTQ terminology, issues, and inclusion practices to make our customers feel seen and heard.
Curative is revolutionizing the health insurance landscape by offering a straightforward and tailored plan to meet members' specific needs. Curative's approach focuses on simplicity and transparency, ensuring members can easily comprehend their coverage options, benefits, and costs without the usual frustration associated with traditional insurance plans. This commitment to accessibility and member-centric design sets Curative apart as a leader in affordable health insurance, making quality healthcare more attainable for everyone.
At Curative, we know that health insurance can be confusing. We want our members to understand their plans and fully use their health insurance benefits. Our Curative Care Navigators work with members to make navigating their health insurance plans even easier. The Care Navigator will connect members with in-network healthcare providers of all specialties within their area and can even help schedule medical appointments.
About Curative
When it comes to the best affordable health insurance, Curative stands above the rest. Curative is a new kind of employer-sponsored health insurance that provides comprehensive healthcare while prioritizing affordability, engagement, and simplicity.
No copays. No deductibles. No...really. Curative is changing the way we view health insurance.
Curative provides top-notch primary care both in-person and virtually. Learn more about how Curative can support your mental health needs by visiting our website.
To see all disclaimers, please view here.
References
Azagba, S., Shan, L., & Latham, K. (2019, May 23). Overweight and obesity among sexual
minority adults in the United States. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/10/1828
Bosworth, A., Turrini, G., Pyda, S., Strickland, K., Chappel, A., Lew, N. D., & Sommers, B. D.
(2021, June). Health insurance coverage and access to care for LGBTQ+ ... Department of Health & Human Services. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/lgbt-health-ib.pdf
Carey, F. R., Cynthia A. LeardMann, Lehavot, K., Stander, V. A., & Rull, R. P. (2022, July 2).
Health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual ... American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(22)00304-X/fulltext
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 24). Fast facts: HIV and gay and
bisexual men. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/data-research/facts-stats/gay-bisexual-men.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, December 10). Health Disparities Among LGBTQ Youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/health-disparities-among-lgbtq-youth.htm
Miller, J. (2023, February 20). Health Disparities Persist for LGB People.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/health-disparities-persist-lgb-people
Stimpert, T. (2020, October 8). “Coming out” against cancer: How local outreach to the LGBT
community can reduce cancer disparities. ASCO Publication. https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2020.38.29_suppl.131
Suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project. (2024, May 8).
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
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