Too Healthy For Health Insurance?

If you have a preexisting condition, routinely have high healthcare costs each year, or are getting "old and fragile" enough that going without health coverage is unthinkable - we don't have to convince you of the need to invest in a good health insurance policy.

But what if you are relatively young and healthy and don't typically have high healthcare expenses? Is it wise, in such cases, to go without health insurance? To put it another way - is it worth the premiums to buy the coverage?

Here are 5 reasons why everyone should carry health insurance:

1. Life Is Too Uncertain
You may not have any known health conditions or engage in high-risk activities like skydiving or deep-sea crab fishing - but accidents and illnesses can strike anyone at any moment without warning.

What if you are suddenly diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, or another life-threatening and/or debilitating condition? What if you suffer a serious slip and fall accident, get in a car crash and your car insurance can't cover it all, or get bit by the neighbor's dog?

Unexpected injuries and illnesses can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Health insurance protects you against this kind of catastrophic occurrence.

2. Almost No One Can Afford Out-of-pocket
Only the super-rich can afford to pay for all healthcare costs 100% out of pocket. For the rest of us, such a requirement could easily bankrupt us - even without a catastrophic accident/illness.

Watching healthcare costs sap away your savings account and put you into deep credit card debt is a nightmare. Why live under that constant threat? Or worse - why live under the risk of not being able to pay for needed care at the time it is needed?

There are affordable policies available for every income level. If you are healthy and usually spend little on doctor's bills, prescription drugs, and other healthcare expenses - a high deductible, low premium plan might be best. But even minimal coverage is miles better than zero coverage.

3. Lock In Lower Rates & A Great Plan!
Another thing to consider is that by buying insurance earlier rather than later, you tend to get lower rates that may continue for years. You also may be able to get a plan you like and want to keep if you buy now, whereas waiting too long could severely limit your options.

Most health insurers reward customer loyalty, and older, less healthy consumers tend to have fewer good options. So it makes sense to start at least a small policy now and increase coverage levels later when you need to.

4. Financial Help Is Available!
Most people can qualify for some sort of financial assistance when purchasing their health policy. It may government subsidies on the exchange, or it might be a group discount with an employer-based plan. Or it could be special programs for children, the elderly, or the poor. 
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Talk to a skilled health insurance agent if you don't know what help may be available to you. Chances are, you can get a discount.

5. It's Still The Law
The tax penalty no longer applies and many were exempt from that penalty all along, but it is still "the law" that everyone is supposed to buy health insurance. Additionally, tax laws are always changing.

Looking for a new health insurance plan? Even the healthiest among us do well to find a policy. Talk to an agent at Summerlin Benefits Consulting today for assistance!