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More Americans Going Without Health Insurance

Looking for affordable health insurance? You wouldn’t be alone; more than 45,000 Americans do not have health coverage. And did you know that 8 out of every 10 uninsured Americans come from working families? The numbers are staggering and they continue to grow with each passing year.

But what does it mean to go without insurance? Over one third of uninsured Americans have said that they did not fill a drug prescription or went without the recommended medical test and/or treatments because of the cost. Doctor visits can average anywhere from $50 – $280 and medical tests are usually an additional cost. This amount does not include the cost of any prescription that might be given. Out-patient procedures and surgeries can easily cost families thousands to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the severity. Every 30 seconds, another American will file bankruptcy because of a health problem.

Most individuals that find themselves without health insurance are typically students, self-employed and those that are unemployed. More than half of the uninsured are under the age of 35. They do not feel they are in need of health insurance because they are young and healthy. Their income is often spent on housing, food, and entertainment. Many people that do work either full or part time are not offered insurance through their jobs so they go without because of the rising cost of health insurance in the United States.

In addition, many young women who become pregnant do not even try to get health insurance because they fear they wouldn’t qualify. Although many states now require that insurers provide coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Rates on these guaranteed plans are usually higher, but when considering the high cost of medical care it may be a safer way to go to protect your financial future.

Another alternative for individuals who are in good health but in between jobs or in a situation which only requires them to be covered with health insurance for a limited period of time would be something often referred to as short term insurance or temporary health insurance. Such policies can often range in coverage from 30 days to 6 months. Be sure to ask whether or not the policy is renewable and for how long. When shopping for short term plans keep in mind that most exclude pre-existing conditions, do not cover scheduled appointments and carry high deductibles. This type of policy is usually intended to cover the catastrophic event such as a car accident.

Best bet, do your homework and use the internet to shop online. There are insurance plans available that would allow many Americans to carry some type of insurance for themselves and their family. Many sites now offer quotes from multiple health insurance providers with just one short application.

The bottom line: Try various websites and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a great rate right away. An hour online could help you find coverage that will prevent an unexpected illness or injury from breaking the bank.


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