People ask me all the time, “Dr. Sangani, should I get health insurance?” The answer will always remain the same – “Yes! You can’t afford not to.” Preventative care is the key to living your best life. Health insurance is expensive and here we will cover what all to think when purchasing your insurance.
There are things to consider when pondering the question, “should I get health insurance.” These are instances where I believe that, yes, health insurance is necessary, and it is in your best interest to acquire health insurance either through your job or an insurance company.
- You live in a country without public health care
It does not really matter what your age is or how healthy you believe you are. Unexpected medical emergencies can drain your money very quickly. This is different if you live in a country with universal health care. Something like a broken leg will not cost you in one of these universal health care countries. However, in the US it will cost anywhere between $17,000 to $35,000 for medical care. This is when you would benefit from health insurance.
- Preventative Care is key
When deciding if you should acquire health insurance, you should think “Prevention, not Treatment.” You should want to prevent any serious medical issues and having preventative care through insurance makes that possible. Even if you are just someone who visits the doctor yearly, having health insurance pays for itself in that yearly visit alone. Preventative care is the key to living a long and healthy life, and the main benefit of health insurance.
- You are in poor health
If you’re still wondering, “should I get health insurance” listen to this…if you are someone who visits the doctor quite often, you would be wise to acquire life insurance. A doctor’s visit in the US ranges from $200-$300. If you are someone who only visits the doctor once a year, maybe you don’t need health insurance quite yet. If you are someone who is constantly in and out of the doctor’s office and are dealing with health issues, then paying for health insurance each month could actually be a better deal for you.
- You are approaching old age
As you get older you’ll want to become more diligent with your health. This includes getting tested for things like cancer, metabolic diseases, and heart disease. The chances of you needing medical care is much higher than a young adult in their 20s or 30s, so in this case, health insurance is necessary. Keep in mind that if you do not have health insurance, you might be tempted to skip out on preventative care recommended by your doctor. If you are faced with the choice to take a test, you might say no and increase your risk of developing serious diseases down the road.
So, to answer the question “should I get health insurance?” Depends on where you are in life, the state of your health, where you live, and what your attitude is towards your own health. If your health is very important to you, then health insurance is a must no matter what your age or state of health. If you are young and do not go to the doctor very often (and are wealthy enough to cover an unexpected injury) despite your economic status, health insurance is always a must! Even if it is just for preventative care, health insurance has its benefits and can help keep you on a path to a longer, healthier life.