The “Adulting” of Health Care
As parents we spend our child's adolescent years preparing them to be fully functioning members of adult society, right? We hope we turn out good people.
Yet there are those conversations we hold off having because we don't think they are grown up enough to discuss the topics (or we are not ready). We stay away from insurance, money, mortality, and even politics! Are we doing our adult children a disservice by not talking about these issues?
Give your grown kids the basics to start, more questions will come along the way.
HEALTH INSURANCE - teach them the 'lingo'; premium, deductible, co-pay, prior authorization. Show them how to read an EOB (explanation of benefits). Walk through their paystub with them and show them how it affects their net pay.
LIFE INSURANCE - teach them the importance of a life insurance policy. Their policy needs to be enough to cover all their debt, a funeral, and a little extra for taxes.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE - once they turn 18, HIPAA rules divide you from them regarding their health care. No one wants to talk about mortality but it's a reality. Each state has an Advance Directive download, fill it out together. I guarantee you both will have peace of mind that you can be there for each other in times of crisis.
Let's not forget the ASSUMABLES too! These are the tasks you have done for your children for so long, both of you just ASSUME it will continue.
Teach them...
How to schedule doctor appointments
How to get prescriptions filled
How to use their insurance carrier's website
How to create a patient portal
How to communicate with their providers
I know these discussions can be difficult, trust me — I've been there and still am! Reach out if you want some guidance and coaching to prepare for these conversations or if you want to have a family discussion on any of these topics.
ps: with politics you're on your own!