Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders.

Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease (PD) doesn’t only impact a patient’s physical and mental health; this disease can also carry a significant financial cost. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may have to face costs for a range of care services and treatments, including visits to specialists, drugs, rehabilitation, personal care, and more.

While public insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid might cover some of the treatments that Parkinson’s patients need, many patients turn to private insurance to ensure that they have complete coverage.

If you have Parkinson’s disease, then you may be wondering what your options for private insurance are – and how those options might fit into your current medical plan.

The Cost of Parkinson’s Disease

As previously mentioned, Parkinson’s disease can be a costly condition. In fact, according to a study published in 2015, the average annual cost of care for Parkinson’s disease patients was $22,800 per patient.

It’s also worth noting that the cost of Parkinson’s disease can increase over time.

As the disease progresses, patients may need to visit specialist doctors more often, undergo more advanced medical testing, or make changes to their home environment to accommodate mobility challenges.

Understanding the Differences: Public vs. Private Insurance for Parkinson’s Disease

The main difference between public and private health insurance comes down to who pays for the premiums. With public insurance, the government pays for the majority of the premium costs.

With private insurance, on the other hand, patients generally have to pay a larger share of the premium costs themselves.

While the government might cover some of a Parkinson’s patient’s care expenses via Medicare and Medicaid, these programs won’t necessarily cover everything.

For example, some patients might need a particular medication that isn’t covered by their public insurance program.

In general, private insurance may provide Parkinson’s patients with more comprehensive coverage, including access to a wider range of treatments and specialists.

However, private insurance comes with higher premium costs and/or out-of-pocket expenses, which can be challenging for patients to manage.

What to Consider When Shopping for Private Insurance with Parkinson’s Disease

If you’re considering private insurance to help cover your Parkinson’s disease expenses, there are a number of factors that you’ll want to keep in mind. Here are a few things to consider:.

1. Covered Treatments

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that the private insurance plan you’re considering provides comprehensive coverage for Parkinson’s disease treatments.

This includes medications, rehabilitation services, and personal care services.

2. Monthly Premiums

Private insurance generally comes with higher monthly premiums than public insurance programs do. Make sure that you can afford the premiums for any plan you’re considering.

In some cases, it may be possible to adjust your coverage options to reduce the monthly premiums.

3. Deductibles and Co-pays

Most private insurance plans also come with deductibles and co-pays that patients must pay before insurance coverage kicks in. Make sure that you understand what your out-of-pocket expenses will be for any plan that you’re considering.

4. In-Network Providers

Finally, take a look at the list of in-network providers for any private insurance plan you’re considering.

It’s important that you’re able to see the doctors and specialists that you’ll need to manage your Parkinson’s disease, so you’ll want to make sure that your healthcare providers are in-network for any plan you’re considering.

Conclusion

Private insurance can be a valuable tool for Parkinson’s patients who are looking to cover the costs of their care. However, securing the right private insurance plan can be challenging.

Patients need to be aware of what care services they require, what premium costs they can afford, and what their out-of-pocket expenses will be. By considering all of these factors, Parkinson’s patients can find the right private insurance plan to help them manage the costs of their disease.