I will be starting a monthly feature called Money Talks where I will write about a topic surrounding finances. I still receive a lot of questions about how we paid off $20,500 in debt. I’d like to continue to write about debt and ways to save money. There are so many things I want to cover. But time is of the essense for my first Money Talks post!
I cannot stress enough how important I think having health insurance is to your family’s health. And I’m not just talking about your physical health. I’m talking about your financial health too!
Many people think it’s smart to live without health insurance. After all, they may be the picture of health with no problems or complications to date. But believe me, all of that can change in an instant!
Ten years ago I was involved in a car accident. A woman rear-ended me and I sustained severe whiplash. I was taken by ambulance to the emergency room where x-rays were done to see if anything was broken. Thankfully, I was just badly bruised and shaken up. I went home to begin to heal.
But a couple months later I was still in excrutiating pain and needed to start physical therapy twice a week due to bulging discs in my neck.
I can say with certainty, that had I not had health insurance through my employer I would have gone bankrupt! As the medical bills poured in it was shocking to see the totals for all of my medical care! Before the accident I had no health issues. I rarely had to visit a doctor and honestly, I didn’t see the point of carrying insurance. It was only after I experienced this life-altering event that I realized how important it is to pay for insurance even when you’re healthy.
Did you know that being uninsured is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy? One medical issue (or surprise in my case) can bring financial ruin. That’s why I’m so grateful the Affordable Care Act was passed. I believe having good healthcare and treatment is a human right. And the ACA is a step in the right direction especially for the millions who had no health insurance before.
I realize there is a heated debate on this topic. This is not a political debate. I’m simply stating facts. Almost 87% of health insurance exchange applicants saved $250 a month or more on their health insurance last year.
Take a look at this video to help bust some common myths about health insurance.
I know it can be difficult and overwhelming to navigate the complicated waters of the health insurance industry. Thankfully, UnitedHealthcare has a great website where you can go to find out more about coverage through the health exchange. I watched quite a few of their videos and came out feeling more confident about how the ACA is helping to insure more people than ever before.
You need to sign up by February 15th to be covered for 2015. If you’ve already got health insurance, thank your lucky stars! I will never take our good insurance for granted because I know how many families struggle with this issue. But if you’re looking for more information their website is a great place to start.
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Thanks to UnitedHealthcare for sponsoring this post and for the amazing website they’ve put together so consumers can better understand health insurance. I have been compensated but was given the freedom to write in my own voice.
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