Why should I get health insurance?

Asked by: Terrance Goyette  |  Last update: November 23, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)

Health insurance protects you from unexpected, high medical costs. You pay less for covered in-network health care, even before you meet your deductible. You get free preventive care, like vaccines, screenings, and some check-ups, even before you meet your deductible.

Why is it important to buy health insurance?

Health insurance can help protect you from the high costs of illness or injury. It also helps you get regular health care, such as exams, preventive care and vaccines.

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.

Who needs health insurance the most?

Characteristics of the Uninsured Population Ages 0-64, 2023

Adults ages 19 to 64 are more likely to be uninsured than children. In 2023, the uninsured rate for children was 5.3%, less than half the rate for adults at 11.1%.

Why should I get insurance?

Insurance is an important financial tool. It can help you live life with fewer worries knowing you'll receive financial assistance after a disaster or accident, helping you recover faster.

I'm Young & Healthy, Can I Skip Health Insurance?

16 related questions found

Is getting health insurance worth it?

By having health insurance, you also save money on out-of-pocket costs even before your deductible is reached. Most preventive care is free, and people with health insurance on average pay 50 percent less for other medical services.

Why would you get insurance?

Crisis like house damage, car accident, emergency hospitalisation etc., can set you back financially and emotionally. Getting the right insurance at the right time can help you cover the costs of house repairs due to fire or robbery, motor repair, hospitalisation expenses and other such emergencies.

Why would someone not have health insurance?

uninsurance has been attributed to a number of factors, including rising health care costs, the economic downturn, an erosion of employer-based insurance, and public program cutbacks. Developing effective strategies for reducing uninsurance requires understanding why people lack insurance coverage.

Do hospitals charge more if you have insurance?

Results. Compared to those with no insurance, patients with private insurance received hospital bills that were an average of 10.7% higher and patients with Medicare received bills that were an average of 8.9% higher.

What states penalty for no 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.

Is insurance always worth it?

Whether life insurance is a smart investment for you may depend on what you want a policy to do for you. If you just want peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially secure if you pass away and they lose your income, term life insurance is probably worth it—even if you outlive the policy.

How much is a hospital bill without insurance?

The average per-day hospital cost in the U.S. is $2,883, with California ($4,181) the most expensive, and Mississippi ($1,305) the least. The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof.

What is the best health insurance company to go with?

Best Health Insurance Companies for 2025
  • Best Overall and Best for Self-Employed: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best Widely Available Plans: UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best for Low Complaints and Best for Chronic Conditions: Aetna.
  • Most Affordable: Molina Healthcare.

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.

What are the 2 most common health insurance plans?

Before choosing a health insurance policy for yourself, your family, or your employees, you must know what types are available. Some popular health insurance policy options are: Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans.

Is Obamacare good?

Proponents of the health care legislation, frequently referred to as Obamacare, have called it a historic political achievement and landmark legislation that reformed the US health care system by lowering health care costs, making health care more affordable, and protecting consumers.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

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.

What does insurance not cover?

Health insurance typically covers most doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, wellness care, and medical devices. Most health insurance will not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, beauty treatments, off-label drug use, or brand-new technologies.

Is it worth paying for 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.

Why might a younger person buy long-term care insurance?

Long-term care insurance helps cover costs of assisted living, nursing homes, home health aides if you become unable to care for yourself. Buying at a young age locks in lower premiums that will never increase. Monthly premiums in your 20s are affordable compared to buying later in life.

What is risk in insurance?

In the world of insurance, the word risk simply refers to the possibility of a loss. Insurance companies consider a variety of factors in order to determine the amount of risk involved in issuing a policy. Risk factors are used to determine insurance rates, and they directly affect your premiums.

Do I need life insurance if I have no debt?

While not mandatory, life insurance is important if others depend on your income or if you have financial obligations like a mortgage or debts. It helps provide financial security for your loved ones, covering expenses and helping ensure their future stability in your absence.