Over 40 million Americans lack health insurance, leading to unpaid medical bills as the top cause of bankruptcy. Affordable options include Medicaid, professional groups, alumni associations, and membership groups, as well as short-term health insurance plans. Basic health insurance may cover major costs, but not routine medical tests.
At any one time, over 40 million Americans are living without health insurance. A scary thought, especially when you consider that unpaid medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy. If you belong to this group, don’t despair. Affordable health insurance can be found if you take the time to weed through the many options available.
When it comes to health insurance, affordable doesn’t mean cheap. A healthy person under 40 should expect to pay a minimum of $160 US Dollars (USD) per month; that number involves co-payments of $35 USD or more per visit and an annual deductible of $1200 USD. A family health insurance plan starts at around $400 USD per month. Granting access to medical records is part of the process, and many health insurance plans don’t cover preexisting conditions.
Start by finding out if you’re eligible for Medicaid. Many people who could get Medicaid don’t know they are eligible. Your next step is to explore organizations such as professional groups, alumni associations, and membership groups. Some groups offer members their own health insurance plans, so don’t discount that possibility.
If that’s out of the question, the internet is the best place to look for your health insurance, since most companies allow you to get an instant quote just by answering a couple of basic questions. If this is still out of your league, consider alternatives. For example, basic health insurance will cover major costs such as hospitalization, but not routine medical tests. Or you could get health insurance that will cover all of your costs after you hit a minimum deductible, but keep in mind that the deductible can go up to $5,000 USD.
Another option is to get short term health insurance. Companies like Fortis Insurance provide affordable coverage that excludes major medical or pre-existing conditions and for which you can choose a short contract. This is a good idea if you plan on having occupational coverage in the near future or if you need some type of health insurance right now but can’t afford to pay for comprehensive coverage.
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