We all know someone who doesn't have health insurance, whether it's because they can't afford it or because they choose to go without.
Whatever the reason, they are taking the gamble - forced or by choice - that they won't have an accident or be struck by a chronic illness.
It's a high stakes game that can have disastrous consequences: physically, financially, and socially.
Many people don't see a doctor on a regular basis, so when they do need a doctor, it's either an emergency or at an advanced stage of illness.
Maybe it's a flu that just won't go away, or a pain in the lower abdomen that's now incapacitating.
That flu could turn out to be pneumonia (cited as one of the most common reasons for hospital stays in 2008*) and that pain might be appendicitis (cited as one of the most expensive hospital costs in 2008^).
Either way, it's progressed to the point where the hospital is the only option, and most people don't realize the actual cost of hospitalization.
In 2009, the cost for a hospital stay due to pneumonia was $9,692.
00.
For appendicitis, it was $29,231.
00+.
Add these costs to the loss of wages and recovery time, and the total cost far exceeds what the average employee is able to afford.
Having insurance not only assists you with paying for these hospital and doctor services, it also gives the employee the added advantage of paying the negotiated or contracted rate, which is generally far less than the standard rate.
If an employee can't pay their medical bills, the costs of their hospital stay end up being absorbed into the overall hospital operating costs; this results in higher costs for consumers who can afford to be treated, and for the insurance companies who foot a majority of the bills.
This trickles down to the average consumer in the form of increased insurance premiums and the increased cost of hospital and doctor services.
While there will always be emergencies and accidents, we can avoid some of these incidences through general physical maintenance - annual exams and preventative care.
Due to Healthcare Reform, all insurance plans, regardless of how basic or minimal, now include an annual wellness exam, free of charge.
These wellness exams could prevent numerous ER visits (the majority of hospitalizations are due to heart related illnesses+) through early detection and treatment of high blood pressure, heart disease, and high cholesterol levels.
Health insurance is certainly not a perfect system, but it does provide some protection against the financial and physical consequences of unforeseen events.
We aren't allowed to drive without auto insurance - why should our bodies be any less worthy of insuring? If catastrophic insurance is the only affordable alternative, it does at least provide a basic level of coverage, along with annual preventative care.
By going without, employees run the risk of losing something that cannot be replaced - their health.
If you or your employees are currently without coverage and would like to review your options, please call the MMC Benefits Department at (800) 899-6624.