In health care, there is a concerning pattern: in the private system women tend to pay higher premiums than men and have lower coverage. Among the insurers’ arguments to justify the higher premiums charged is women’s greater need for health insurance.

Money is also a driving factor when it comes to choosing medical care and making appointments. That’s why getting health insurance can be a little more challenging for women.

Recent changes in health insurance for women

There are many health issues to evaluate when choosing an insurance plan, and upcoming changes in health laws could present new complications for women looking for good coverage.

Currently, Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) still exists. If you have health insurance, your scheduled preventive care is covered, including annual well-woman visits, HPV vaccines, and mammograms every two years starting at age 40.

Some time ago, there used to be a penalty for being a woman, meaning that if you were getting insurance on your own instead of through an employer, it would cost $400 more a year. Fortunately, that penalty does not exist anymore, and all services are covered.

Health factors to consider when getting insurance

According to the news portal The Balance, there are three main factors that women should be aware of:

• Heart disease: it is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and the world.

• Cancer: it is the second most dangerous threat to women’s health.

• Strokes: it causes 6% of all deaths in women and is also the leading cause of long-term disability. 60% of all strokes affect women.

Other things to consider when choosing health insurance:

• Check the type of plan, whether it is a floating family or individual health insurance.
• Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions?
• Does it offer any value-added services?
• Does it offer maternity coverage? If so, check if there is any waiting period for it.