How do you survive without health insurence in this country?

Question

I always wonder how do 46 million people leave in this country without health insurence. I know if you go to hospital they will treat you without insurence but don't you have to pay later on? what happens if you can not pay? do you have to declare bankruptcy? Thanks.

Answer 1

Absolutely no reason to survive in United States without Health Insurance. If you are healthy and have no prior medical conditions you should be able to secure a low priced premium plan, I would suggest looking into a Health Savings Acount Eligible plan. Remember, everyone should secure a plan while you are healthy, if you shop for health insurance when you have a health condition you will most likely be declined for enrollment- and you only be offered a very expensive plan. One of the phrases I have heard for years from folks has been "Why should I buy a plan with such a high deductible, I don't feel it is worth it".. well here is the truth, securing a health plan while your healthy is the smartest thing anyone can do, a legitimate health company cannot and will not cancel your plan if you ever get sick. So shop, and purchase a health plan asap. Also, many cities here in the US offer low, or free healthcare to there citizens- in California for Children MedICal and Healthy Families are available, in San Francisco Ca. a plan has been introduced for young adults.

I feel that of that 20-46million approx. un-insured here in the United States they are just un-aware of the options available. Health Insurance involves an education from those uninsured, we need as citizens to take more of a proactive role in picking and understanding Healthcare in America.

Answer 2

You don't survive. You run up your bills, bankrupt then when you think you have paid off the bankruptcy your youngest son gets cancer. Not just any cancer but brain cancer. Ganglioglioma. Very rare. Wow, you did manage to get insurance though but wait. The insurance, Assurnet, tells you he's not covered because it's considered pre-existing condition.

Ok, now what......Childrens Hospital in New Orleans takes you and Ronald McDonald House puts you up. None of them want any money. Charity's come forward and help with phone cards and gas. Your son gets his operation then a freaking Hurricane Named Katrina comes to town. All your help and doctors leave. Fema rushes in. Help the helpless they say. Wait, isn't my kid helpless? No, he's white.

Well the waters subside and you get your son out of the hospital but where are all the doctors? They left. Where is the help? Gone too. Where is the city? Destroyed.

It's been almost a year and as you type this you are glad that somehow your son managed to recover. Now everyone is back in New Orleans. Do you know what they want from you? MONEY? Guess what? You don't have any. You can't bankrupt again and you can't get a job because you are now yourself an emotional wreck and your job was destroyed.

You love America but it's hopless. Everyday you get closer to eating that bullet.

You don't survive America.

I don't think I will.

Answer 3

Yes you have to pay later. The bills how ever do not go on your credit so you do not have to claim bankruptcy. The hospital will hound you for the money but what they will not tell you it is a write off at the end of the year. Luckly there are some caring doctors and nurses that will volenter at a free clinic for people with out health insurance. My oppion is everyone gets sick and health care should be free. The price they charge people that are sick is sicken in it's self. They charge you and make sure to make you wait hours before being seen for the money.

Answer 4

The 46 million figure is a bit deceptive. Many of the people who fall into this category are between 18 and 30, and are basically taking the risk that they won't need any kind of medical treatment. For most people, this is a pretty good risk. Unless you've already got medical problems, you're unlikely to have many at that age. Furthermore, as the likeliest cause of a need for medical treatment is a car accident, and auto insurance is mandatory in pretty much every state, the biggest risk is covered.

Just going to a hospital doesn't mean that you get treatment. You can certainly go to the emergency room and receive some kind of care, but access to specialists and extended courses of treatment is not something hospitals are required to offer to anyone who can't pay for it. If you can't pay, you don't get advanced care. Declaring bankruptcy can potentially wipe out existing medical debts - and medical debts are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy - but it certainly won't help you get care in the future.

Answer 5

I'm one of the people Ryan D mentioned. I'm 35 and single. Last year when it was time to sign up for insurance at work I did some math. I've spent less that $50.00 on medical costs in the last decade. In that time I've paid nearly $13,000 in insurance premiums. I decided I'm better off with a savings account.

Most Americans with medical 'insurance' actually have an HMO. This is about as close to traditional insurance as an extended warranty is to car insurance.

Answer 6

Hospitals have to help, at least the non profits do anyway. But those without insurance do go to the doctor or hospital unless it is very serious and when they can't pay the enormous bills, they do end up in bankruptcy or just in collections.

Answer 7

Best thing about hospital bills: No interest on it :). You will get a monthly statement on how much you owe. I don't know what happens if you don't pay. Maybe they'll sue you or put your name on the national database to say: "Don't treat this person under any circumstances." lol

Answer 8

my son's current girlfriend doesn't have health insurance and doesn't work anywhere long enough to join a plan, she currently owes over $75,000 in hospital bills, she runs to the hospital for everything, I don't know how she will ever get out of debt, I told him he can't marry her cause he would inherit her debt

Answer 9

You are still obligated to pay, but most people don't. The new shift in this industry is towards discount plans with high deductible catastrophic insurance.

One great discount plan can be found at http://www.MyBenefitsPlus.com/bms

Answer 10

By not getting sick. Or if they DO get sick, you just go to the emergency room, and they HAVE to treat you. You can give fake id information, and pretend to be an illegal immigrant. Works every time.