Ever get excited for discounts at department stores? Who wouldn’t be?! That’s a good way to look at the importance of health insurance: you and your family can get ongoing well care coverage at a rate lower than what you’d get without it, while also avoiding the financial stress of a minor accident or major illness.
Let’s break this down. The Affordable Care Act calls for most of us to have health insurance or pay a fine. You may still be thinking, “We don’t need health insurance. We never go to the doctor.” What you should be thinking is, “I need health insurance ASAP!”
First, let’s take a look at the fees you could be required to pay for not having health insurance.
Your son is outside playing with friends when you hear a scream. You run out and see him sitting on the sidewalk holding his ankle, crying, “It hurts!” Immediately, you decide to bring him to the ER. Worried about his ankle being broken, who has time to think how much this will cost? But, the cost will be told sooner or later so it’s best to know now. Let’s take a look at what this little accident might cost you.
There’s a plus added with prevention…
All new health insurance plans cover preventive care (such as cancer screenings and shots) and yearly wellness exams with no out-of-pocket costs, as long as you go to a doctor in your health plan's network. So in the end, you don’t need to put off going to the doctor in fear of the bill. And, here’s the EXTRA PLUS: the doctor is more likely to catch health problems earlier. With health insurance you can get the care you need. You’ll have a network of doctors and hospitals to go to. No need to ignore signs that something might be wrong or hope it will go away. You can go to a doctor or a nurse right away.
Food for thought: The maximum penalty in 2014 is equivalent to the national average premium for a bronze plan. This means that by investing in a low-cost health care plan using the money you’re saving from avoiding the penalty, you also get to take advantage of lower health care costs year-round! Who doesn’t love a bargain?
”I need health insurance!”
We know you’re on the same page now. Remember, that broken ankle was pretty expensive. With access to affordable health insurance, you get the discounted rate all year long– remember the shopping talk above? And, let worry woes disappear; you get preventive care and a network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals too.
[https://connect.bcbstx.com/getting-health insurance/b/weblog/archive/2014/10/08/why_2d00_buying_2d00_health_2d00_insurance_2d00_is_2d00_a_2d00_good_2d00_idea]
Let’s break this down. The Affordable Care Act calls for most of us to have health insurance or pay a fine. You may still be thinking, “We don’t need health insurance. We never go to the doctor.” What you should be thinking is, “I need health insurance ASAP!”
First, let’s take a look at the fees you could be required to pay for not having health insurance.
- For 2014, the penalty is $95 per person ($47.50 per child under 18) or 1% of your annual household income—whichever amount is highest.
- In 2015, the penalty goes up to $325 per person or 2% of your annual household income.
- In 2016, the penalty will be $695 per person or 2.5% of your annual household income.
- After 2016, the penalty will go up each year by the changes in the cost of living.
Your son is outside playing with friends when you hear a scream. You run out and see him sitting on the sidewalk holding his ankle, crying, “It hurts!” Immediately, you decide to bring him to the ER. Worried about his ankle being broken, who has time to think how much this will cost? But, the cost will be told sooner or later so it’s best to know now. Let’s take a look at what this little accident might cost you.
- The average ER visit is about $700. Of course, that doesn’t cover any tests, x-rays, cast for your son’s foot, which may raise the bill to well over $1,000.*
- If it’s a broken leg the cost could jump to $7,500. **
- The average 3-day hospital stay is $30,0002
There’s a plus added with prevention…
All new health insurance plans cover preventive care (such as cancer screenings and shots) and yearly wellness exams with no out-of-pocket costs, as long as you go to a doctor in your health plan's network. So in the end, you don’t need to put off going to the doctor in fear of the bill. And, here’s the EXTRA PLUS: the doctor is more likely to catch health problems earlier. With health insurance you can get the care you need. You’ll have a network of doctors and hospitals to go to. No need to ignore signs that something might be wrong or hope it will go away. You can go to a doctor or a nurse right away.
Food for thought: The maximum penalty in 2014 is equivalent to the national average premium for a bronze plan. This means that by investing in a low-cost health care plan using the money you’re saving from avoiding the penalty, you also get to take advantage of lower health care costs year-round! Who doesn’t love a bargain?
”I need health insurance!”
We know you’re on the same page now. Remember, that broken ankle was pretty expensive. With access to affordable health insurance, you get the discounted rate all year long– remember the shopping talk above? And, let worry woes disappear; you get preventive care and a network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals too.
[https://connect.bcbstx.com/getting-health insurance/b/weblog/archive/2014/10/08/why_2d00_buying_2d00_health_2d00_insurance_2d00_is_2d00_a_2d00_good_2d00_idea]