You may think, "I never go to the doctor, so I don’t need health insurance." Think again. Health Insurance protects your physical and financial wellbeing.

Let’s see what might happen if you have to take your kid to the ER, but don’t have health insurance. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities, right? After all, kids are active. Adventurous.  And prone to mishaps every now and then.

Imagine This Scenario

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. Worried that his ankle is broken, you decide to take him to the ER. Let’s look at what this accident might cost you, according to Healthcare.gov: 

• An average ER visit is about $700. That doesn’t cover any tests, x-rays or cast for your son’s foot.
• If it’s a broken leg, the cost could jump to $7,500.
• A 3-day hospital stay averages $30,000

Can you afford to pay for that visit to the ER? There’s a good chance the answer is no. The right health insurance plan can protect you from most of these and other types of medical bills. Without insurance, you could wipe out your savings and even go into debt.

Get the Care You Need

Most health plans cover preventive care (such as cancer screenings and shots) and yearly wellness exams with no out-of-pocket costs when you go to a doctor in your health plan's network. You don’t need to put off going to the doctor because you’re worried about the cost. Plus, keeping up with wellness exams and other preventive care means your doctor is more likely to catch health problems earlier.

With health insurance, you have a network of doctors and hospitals who can care for you. No need to ignore warning signs that something might be wrong, or simply hope a health condition will go away on its own.

By investing in a health care plan, you also get to take advantage of lower health care costs year-round. With access to affordable health insurance, you get preventive care and a network of doctors, specialists and hospitals, too.

Sources: Why Health Insurance is Important,  Healthcare.gov.

Originally published 5/11/2014; Revised 2018; 2021, 2023