ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN

If you don’t have health insurance and have an accident, expect to pay a lot more than you think. Those who are not covered by a health plan are charged more for medical services. Here’s why:

Physicians and hospitals typically charge a “100%” fee for appointments, hospital rooms, services, tests, etc. Traditional health plans negotiate discounts with these providers in exchange for directing patients to them.

So, if you are not covered by a health insurance plan, you are likely to be charged the “100%” fee. Here are examples of actual charges in a large Midwestern city in June 2005:

• Orthopedic Surgeon appointment for arm injury: 100% charge-$332.00, health plan paid negotiated discount - $276.00, uninsured person pays (100% charge) $332.00.
  
• Neurological test for arm injury: 100% charge $3901.00, health plan paid negotiated discount - $1937.00, uninsured person pays (100% charge) $3901.00.
  
• Hospital charges for arm surgery and 2 day stay: 100% - $8623.00, health plan paid $3987.00, uninsured person pays (100% charge) -$8623.00.

As you can see, the cost of being without health insurance can be very high. And while traditional policies are a real stretch on the budget, you can find affordable plans that cover those major medical expenses if you have an injury or unexpected illness.

If you are in good health and don’t need coverage for pre-existing conditions, short-term medical insurance may be for you. You can enroll for 30 days up to 12 months, depending on the plan. You can pay in 1 month increments and drop it any time.

These temporary plans have low monthly premiums compared to the other types of health insurance plans. The plans pay for major medical expenses; you can choose your own doctors; you have a choice of deductibles. There are limitations –the short-term policies don’t pay for routine physical exams and tests, pregnancy, pre-existing conditions.

These affordable plans offer protection from the risk of huge medical and hospital bills caused in an accident or from an unexpected illness.