There are many reasons why someone might choose not to have health insurance. They may believe that they feel healthy and do not need medical care or struggle financially and not want to add another monthly expense to their tight budget.
However, health insurance is important, and people should not neglect to sign up with an appropriate policy.
1. Lower Medical Costs
While the monthly cost of a health insurance plan may seem like an unnecessary expense, it is much better than paying thousands of dollars worth of medical bills due to an unexpected hospitalization or procedure.
Depending on the type of health insurance plan in Massachusetts that people have, the routine visits to their primary care physicians may be partially or fully covered. A more comprehensive plan can offer coverage for vision and dental as well, further lowering medical costs.
2. Reduces Risk of Bankruptcy
From chronic illnesses to serious accidents, people can swiftly find themselves in the midst of an unforeseen medical event. Whatever the reason, when people experience a health crisis, they may face thousands of dollars in expenses. Without insurance, they will be fully responsible for accumulating medical bills. Often, people going through expensive treatments are unable to work while they are struggling to recover. This can further increase the financial strain and lead people to declare bankruptcy to try to save their homes and protect their families. Having a health insurance plan in place can help keep people from experiencing financial hardships due to medical issues.
3. Encourages Preventative Care
One reason why some people do not go to a physician for regular checkups is a lack of insurance. An insurance policy can lower or eliminate copays and cover routine preventative care measures. Because of this, people with insurance may be more likely to go to the doctor. Their doctors are then in a position to catch serious medical conditions early and treat them accordingly. This can allow people to live generally healthier, happier, and longer lives.
People who are young and healthy may neglect preventative care, as they can struggle financially and also believe that they are not at risk for health problems. However, they are not immune from health risks. Even if they are perfectly healthy, they may experience an accident. For example, if they are struck by a vehicle and the driver either has no insurance or flees the scene and is not caught, then the victim may be responsible for their own medical costs.
Without consistent preventative care, people are much more likely to wait until their condition has become unbearable. This usually leads them to visit an urgent care center or emergency room, which is more expensive than a visit to a primary care physician.
4. Peace of Mind
Having a health insurance policy in place can offer people peace of mind. If they experience a heart attack, stroke, or are diagnosed with a chronic illness, they will be able to focus on making as full a recovery as possible. They will not have to worry about declaring bankruptcy due to medical emergencies and can enjoy lower costs for routine medical care. This can be important, as stress can hinder the healing process and lower people’s morale during critical times.
Finding the right health insurance plan can take time and should not be done hastily. All of the variables should be considered, including the age, medical history, and future risks of those on the policy. While a health insurance policy cannot prevent medical events from occurring, the combination of adequate preventative care and the knowledge that the insurance policy will shoulder most of the financial burden is a huge asset.