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Healthy SA: Improving healthcare literacy and navigating the healthcare system

The more you know about healthcare the better your health can be.

SAN ANTONIO — With the annual open enrollment season in full swing, a concerning finding sheds light on a health issue that affects millions of Americans: lack of insurance. In this Healthy SA we look into the numbers and why having health insurance is a must.

A big problem, experts suggest, is health literacy. This means nearly nine out of every 10 adults lack enough knowledge to navigate the healthcare system, which results in confusion and lack of insurance.

"Having the understanding of this different terminology and different verbiage that health plan uses, if you have that basic understanding, that's pretty much the health literacy," said Dr. Hiren Patel, CMO of United Healthcare of Texas/Oklahoma.

This lack of understanding contributes to worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs by making poor choices. 

"You don't know where you're going to get a car accident or if you get diagnosed with a condition that you weren't expecting, like a cancer when you just do a routine mammogram or colonoscopy," Patel said.

The CDC's National Health Interview Survey's Early Release Program found that close to 25 million Americans under the age of 65 don't have health insurance. That is about 9% without coverage. When it comes to those under age 18 without health insurance, that percentage drops to about 4%. 

To assist with the confusion Patel says look into your employers wellness program. 

"They may have like incentives for healthy behaviors. Like if you're joining the gym, if you exercise, if you have a nutritional help and support your need," he said.

Patel says to save money on medication, go with the generic brand if available. They have the same active ingredient as the brand name at a fraction of the cost.

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