Do I actually need health insurance?
Asked by: Quincy Lebsack | Last update: November 19, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (25 votes)
Do people really need health insurance?
If you don't have health insurance, those stories can sure get you thinking, Do I need health insurance? The answer—yes! Health insurance has a reputation for being expensive and confusing, but it can also be the only thing standing between you and financial disaster if you ever need medical care.
Is it really necessary to have insurance?
With insurance, you can manage these events that could affect you or your family. Without insurance, these bills will add up fast, they'll be devastating and they will cost too much. No matter what type of insurance you have, your plan is required to help you pay for 10 important health services.
Does the IRS still penalize for no health insurance?
If you had no health coverage
If you didn't have coverage during 2024, the fee no longer applies. This means you don't need an exemption in order to avoid the penalty.
Is it cheaper to not use health insurance?
However, as I said at the start, if you have insurance, that is still cheaper as far as the patients out of pocket. If you don't have insurance, you are likely saving yourself money compared to most insured people unless you have an expensive chronic issue or a catastrophic acute issue arises.
Hidden Secrets of the Uninsured | Shaun Young | TEDxNewAlbany
Can I pay out of pocket instead of using insurance?
You may choose not to use insurance if the service you need isn't covered, or it's less expensive if you pay out of pocket. In most cases, providers and facilities must give you an estimate when you schedule care at least 3 business days in advance, or if you ask for one.
Why do people avoid buying health insurance?
Cost is the most commonly cited reason for being uninsured. In 2023, 63.2% of uninsured adults ages 18-64 said they were uninsured because coverage is not affordable (Figure 7).
Which state does not require health insurance?
New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia require their residents to have health insurance coverage or face penalties. Vermont recommends that residents have coverage, but there's no noncompliance penalty.
How much do you have to pay irs if you don t have health insurance?
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) repealed the penalty (made the penalty amount $0) starting with tax year 2019. But you may wonder, “Do I need health insurance to file taxes after the ACA penalty was repealed?” The answer is no. You no longer will be penalized for not having health insurance.
What does Dave Ramsey say about health insurance?
Dave recommends purchasing health insurance through your employer when possible to keep costs low. Compare options to find the best coverage for your needs. Choose a plan with a Health Savings Account to help you to put money away with tax benefits to cover medical costs.
Why is healthcare so expensive?
There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.
What are the disadvantages of having healthcare coverage?
Disadvantages of private health insurance
Many individual policies can cost several hundred dollars a month, and family coverage can be even higher. And even the more comprehensive policies come with deductibles and copays that insureds must meet before their coverage kicks in.
Can you legally not have health insurance?
Most people in California are required to have health coverage. If you do not have health coverage you may have to pay a tax penalty. This is called the “individual mandate.”
Why is health insurance so expensive in 2025?
ValuePenguin.com health insurance expert Divya Sangameshwar said, "Private Health insurance premiums are rising 7% in 2025, due to ballooning healthcare costs - which get passed on to policyholders in the form of higher premiums, However, most health insurance plans purchased from HealthCare.gov or state marketplaces ...
How many Americans do not have health insurance?
The Share of Americans Without Health Insurance in 2023 Remained Low. In 2023, 26 million people — or 8 percent of the population — were uninsured, according to a report in September 2024 from the Census Bureau.
Is $200 a month good for health insurance?
Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.
Do you legally need health insurance USA?
Individual mandate vs employer sponsored plans
However, the federal individual mandate was effectively eliminated in 2019, meaning there is no longer a federal requirement for individuals to have health insurance. This change in the individual mandate does not impact employer-sponsored health insurance plans.
What state has the most people without health insurance?
Texas is home to the country's largest share of Americans under 65 without health insurance, according to new Census Bureau data, with 18.8% of residents uninsured as of 2022.
Is it legal to self pay when you have insurance?
Now that you know that it is legal to self-pay when you have insurance, here are a few situations where it may make sense to directly pay for the medical procedure or service without filing a claim with your provider.
Is it better to go without health insurance?
Health insurance provides important financial protection in case you have a serious accident or sickness. People without health coverage are exposed to these costs. This can sometimes lead people without coverage into deep debt or even into bankruptcy.
How many Americans are denied healthcare?
Insurers deny between 10% and 20% of health care claims they receive, although government data is limited, ProPublica reported in 2023. About 1 in 5 adults said their insurer denied a claim in the past year, according to a separate 2023 report from KFF, a nonprofit health research organization.
Is it better to have health insurance or pay out of pocket?
People without insurance pay, on average, twice as much for care. This means when you use a network provider you pay less for the same services than someone who doesn't have coverage – even before you meet your deductible.