Coasting Under the Insurance Radar

As Alex Williams recently reported in the New York Times, "As Economy is Down, Vitamin Sales Are Up." A lot of people out there either don't have health insurance, or they don't want to spend money on expensive prescriptions, so they are increasing their investments in preventative measures like vitamins, and seeing alternative healers rather than medical doctors.

If you've lost your job or benefits, it's hard to spend $100+ per month on health insurance. Why? Because you might not get sick. You might not break your leg. You might not have a mental breakdown. And what's more, you could spend approximately that same amount of money on a gym or yoga studio membership — and aren't those things sort of related to your need for health insurance? If you have to choose, would you rather be safe but somewhat sedentary, or uninsured but healthier?

It's screwed up that you have to choose. As much as it's possible for a person to be active without some kind of "membership," if they're used to the gym, they're not going to do the same kind of working out without it. Being faced with the quandary of whether to give up your gym membership to continue your insurance is, well, totally unfair.

Even if you have insurance, going to see a medical doctor can be financially scary. According to Uwe E. Reinhardt, a Princeton economics professor, "When you go to the formal health system, you very quickly lose control over what this costs you." I certainly know how that feels. The doctor starts rattling off tests you need and you just wanna raise your hand and say, "How many copays? Does my insurance cover all this?" But that seems so futile compared to the serious, THIS IS YOUR HEALTH look on the doctor's face, you just sit there and go "yup."

If you're coasting under the insurance radar or just want to stay out of the doctor's office, it's a good idea to take steps to keep yourself healthy. Vitamins and supplements can help, but are a bit overwhelming at the drug store. What's more, vitamins and supplements, as you probably know, are not regulated by the FDA. Maybe they will be one day, and maybe by a less corrupt board than the FDA (I like to imagine a bunch of hippies running the supplement show).

Check out our interview with Nutrition Consultant and Certified Holistic Health Counselor Matt Stokes for some advice on what to buy.