It is important to have health insurance for yourself and members of your immediate family. Insurance helps to protect you from high health care costs, especially those related to chronic medical conditions or the need for hospitalization.
If you do not have health insurance, you will have to pay for your health care out of your own pocket each time you or a family member receives a health service. This can cost thousands of dollars for an injury or a serious illness.
You should get health insurance for the same reason that you have auto insurance or homeowners insurance - to protect your savings and income.
Depending on your age, job status, and financial condition, there are many ways that you can get health insurance. These include:- Health insurance provided by an employer. Most large companies in the U.S. provide health insurance as an employee benefit. You may be required to pay some portion of the monthly premium, or cost of the health insurance.
- Health insurance that you purchase on your own. If you are self-employed or work for a small company that does not provide health insurance, you will need to buy it on your own.
- Health insurance provided by the government. If you are 65 or older, disabled, or have little or no income, you may qualify for health insurance paid for by the government, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
If you have no health insurance or health insurance that is not adequate, you will be responsible for paying all your health care bills. Congress is in the process of deciding on some type of health reform for the country that would include health insurance for all Americans. Until this happens, you have some options that may help:
- Your state may have a program that pays for part of your monthly health insurance premium, depending on your income and family size.
- Your community may have a free clinic or community health center that will provide healthcare services free of charge or at a reduced fee.
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