What’s the matter with you… why don’t you have low income health insurance?
That’s what they always seem to ask. It seems that many of the people that complain about uninsured consumers bringing down the system, all have money. Indeed, how can one possibly think about ordering health insurance when the family barely makes enough money to pay rent, groceries and basic amenities?
Some families simply cannot afford health insurance. It doesn’t help that some insurance providers are making it difficult for low income families, by increasing insurance rates or denying coverage for individuals with a pre-existing condition.
Don’t despair!
Even if you are a low-income family that cannot afford traditional health insurance you may be able to find a good deal on low income health insurance. The facts speak for themselves: according to the Commonwealth Fund, which estimates that 96% of high income families have health insurance, but 53% of low income families do not.
So no one is denying the fact that a good health insurance policy may be too expensive for low income families to afford. However, having no insurance still creates many problems that are hard to ignore. When a person is uninsured he or she is four times more likely to avoid seeing a doctor for urgent care or preventative care.
Avoiding a doctor for years on end gives the body plenty of time to develop an undetected and untreated disease. Because of this fact, it is believed that almost 50% of all advanced stage diseases are found in the uninsured.
Even though uninsured individuals believe they are saving on costs, they still pay $3,300 (average) on emergency room costs each year. Lastly, some doctors and clinics will refuse to see individuals who are uninsured. While emergency rooms may not turn away people in need, higher quality clinics still can.
So it should be reassuring to know that low income health insurance options are available even if traditional HMOs and PPOs are not affordable. Usually low income health insurance plans refer to supplemental plans and savings account plans.
That means that while you do not have a traditional policy in effect, you still can save on prescription drugs, doctor visits or in selected cases even diagnostic testing or surgery.
Supplemental low income health insurance plans charge much lower premiums than standard policies.
The average supplemental premium could cost 50% less than a traditional premium. Insured families can also enjoy hospital benefits as well as limited accident coverage. This is not a full medical plan but it can help tremendously.
There are also other types of alternative plans to consider such as catastrophic health insurance plans (that cover only major testing and surgery) as well as a high deductible plan. Some of these plans can cover surgeries and testing bills of up to two million dollars!
If you are in doubt, then talk to an insurance agent about a plan that is right for you. Remember that you’re not only providing for your own health but also the health of your children and spouse. Responsibility is not cheap, that is very true. However, it may be more affordable than you think!