If you're fairly young and have so far not been affected by any serious health issues, you may think that health insurance is an unnecessary expense, and that your money could be much better used in other ways. Think again.
Health benefits
The chances of your reaching the so-called "golden years" with no health problems are pretty low. Those chances can be increased, however, with planned protection against various illnesses and diseases, along with quick and appropriate medical care in the event of an accident or emergency.
A person who carries no health insurance may be inclined to overlook small medical issues, assuming they are nothing to worry about, or to avoid seeing a physician about existing problems because an office visit is expensive.
Monetary benefits
If you are such a person, you're gambling with your health, and "the house always wins" in these situations. That is exactly the purpose of health insurance - to pay your medical bills when you have an office visit or an emergency health problem.
Why do you buy automobile insurance for your car? The purpose of car insurance is to protect you from full financial responsibility if an accident occurs while you are in your car. It's the same basic principle with health insurance.
Preventive health care
Some insurance providers also help pay for preventive medical care, like vaccinations and flu shots. Having health insurance enables you to take a proactive role in maintaining your health, rather than just reacting to each medical problem as it occurs.
Medical consultations and procedures have become increasingly, and sometimes almost prohibitively, expensive over time. Even relatively routine and simple outpatient procedures can end up costing much more than you'd expect. A brief visit with a specialist to diagnose an illness can result in a hefty bill.
Medical emergencies
Medical emergencies, or the development of chronic, debilitating, or possibly fatal illnesses, are among the most important reasons to carry health insurance. Without such insurance, the expenses of treating issues like these can quickly run up bills of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This type of situation can put you on the road to a financial meltdown. It may be impossible for you to pay your medical bills in full. Collection agencies could start calling at all hours of the day and night. Your credit rating could be negatively affected and you may find yourself unable qualify for necessities.
Protect yourself
Let there be no question in your mind that health insurance is a critically-important part of your budget. With health insurance, you can be at your best, to enjoy an excellent quality of life. Over the long term, health insurance will most likely save you money.
What is the most important thing in your life? If you think carefully, you'll find "good health" at the top of your list. You protect your car, your home, and your valuable possessions with insurance. What can be more valuable than your health? Protect that, too, with health insurance.
