2) Physical Health (Your Body Is Infrastructure)
Get optimization panel (the tests doctors skip)
Standard physicals miss critical markers. Request these: Vitamin D—most immigrants are deficient, especially if you're from a tropical country now living somewhere with less sun. Optimal is 50-80 ng/mL, not just 'normal' (30+). Low Vitamin D causes fatigue, depression, and weak immunity. Ferritin measures iron storage—low ferritin causes fatigue even when your hemoglobin looks normal. B12 is essential for nerve function and energy—vegetarians and vegans are often deficient. Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) catches thyroid problems that cause weight gain, fatigue, and brain fog. CRP (C-Reactive Protein) measures inflammation—high levels indicate chronic stress, poor diet, or hidden health issues. These tests cost $50-100 out of pocket if insurance won't cover them. Worth every dollar.
1.2.1.1 Premium
The Premium is your membership fee. It is the fixed amount you pay every single month just to have insurance active.
- The Subscription Model: Think of it like a Netflix subscription. You pay it even if you don't watch any movies (or in this case, even if you never see a doctor).
- Usually, if you pay a higher monthly premium, you will have lower costs when you actually go to the doctor. If you choose a low premium, expect to pay a lot more when you get sick.
Free Resource: Health Insurance Premiums Explained Simply
1.2.1.2 Deductible
The Deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of your own pocket for medical care before the insurance company starts to help you pay.
- If your deductible is $1,500, and you have a surgery that costs $1,000, you pay the whole $1,000 yourself. Your insurance won't pay a cent until you have spent that first $1,500 for the year.
- Your deductible resets to zero every year on January 1st (or the start of your plan year).
Free Resource: What is a Deductible and How Does it Work?
1.2.1.3 Copay
A Copay is a fixed, flat fee you pay at the time of your visit.
- You might have a $20 copay for a regular doctor or a $50 copay for a specialist. You usually pay this right at the front desk before you even see the doctor.
- Copays are great because you know exactly how much the visit will cost you beforehand.
Free Resource:Copays, Deductibles, and Coinsurance Compared
1.2.1.4 Coinsurance
Coinsurance is your share of the costs of a healthcare service, calculated as a percentage.
- The Splitting of the Bill kicks in only after you have met your deductible. For example, if your plan has 20% coinsurance and the bill is $100, you pay $20 and the insurance pays $80.
- A common plan is the 80/20 plan, where the insurance company covers the lion's share (80%) and you cover the rest.
Free Resource: Understanding Coinsurance and Cost Sharing
1.2.1.5 Out-of-Pocket Maximum
The Out-of-Pocket Maximum is the absolute most you will have to pay for covered services in a plan year. It is your Financial Safety Net.
- Once you have spent this amount on deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, the insurance company pays 100% of everything else for the rest of the year.
- In 2026, the legal limit for an individual is $10,600. If you have a $100,000 surgery, you only pay up to your maximum, and the insurance pays the remaining $90,000+.