The latest insurance industry headline today is the news that AETNA is dropping a significant number of their clients. While customers in the states of Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, and Virginia will still receive coverage, the news that customers in several other states will not is being noted as a “Blow to Obamacare” in the August 16, 2016. issue of USA Today. For the Aetna participants in the states of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Participants will be need to look for other Obamacare plans or purchase individual insurance policies outside of the exchanges when the open enrollment starts again later this year.
Even a recent big screen release is centered on the impact of syphilis in the character played by Meryl Streep in the movie “Florence Foster Jenkins.” Although Jenkins in real life made a very public display of her dreams, few knew of her battle with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Although healthcare seems to be a point for public discussion these days, some health conditions like STD testing for men are still quite personal. And while the news stories on television and on the internet continue to update the latest coverage of the newly insured and those losing coverage, much of the healthcare world is still a private discussion between patients and their doctors.
Especially in the case of some questions like those answered by STD testing for men and for women, privacy is an important part of both testing and treatment. Although some patients may attempt to protect their privacy by using home STD testing kits, the reliability of results from a low cost health clinic or other options can provide more comfort and assurance. in fact, the testing for sexually transmitted diseases is seen as such a public health concern, free STD testing centers are available in many communities. The importance of being informed, which can occur in STD testing for men, women, and teens, is crucial to controlling the spread of this condition.
Is the Cost of STD Testing Keeping You from Being Informed?
Although the fear of finding out that you may have a sexually transmitted disease may be daunting, it is essential that you get the testing that you need. STD testing for men, women, and even teens checks for the following:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes 2
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV-1
- HIV-2
- Syphilis
Public health officials strive to make free STD testing centers a reality in many locations around the country. These free tests may be especially important in the major cities where STD numbers are the highest. Prioritizing the need for individual testing in these top 10 cities can help precent the continued spread of a condition that threatens people from all incomes and all walks of life:
- Austin, Texas
- San Francisco, California
- San Antonio, Texas
- Miami, Florida
- Hepatitis C
- New York City, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Chicago, Illinois
- Washington, DC
You do not need to be a resident of one of the top ten cities to understand the importance of STD testing. In fact, no matter where you live in the country the secret is to get tested and to understand your risk factor. In a time when many free testing sites are available there is no reason to avoid being informed about your condition. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to your future partners.
Any person who has had unprotected sex or has had sex with a new partner should consider getting tested for STDs. People who have had more than one sexual partner are especially encouraged to get tested. Although sores, discharge, or pain are indicators of a condition, no one should think that he or she has to wait for a symptom to get a test.
After a confidential interview of sexual history, a doctor will move to a physical exam. If other risks or concerns are present, the following may also occur: a blood sample obtained through a blood draw or a finger prick; a urine sample; inside of the mouth swab; genital swab including the urethra in males and the cervix in females; and discharge or sore swap.
With the continued need for health care services for Americans, statistics indicate that America will need 52,000 more primary care physicians by 2025, many of whom offer STD testing services.