Medical expenses are continuing to rise. Even if you have health insurance, a hospital stay can be quite expensive. If you have a medical emergency and end up in the hospital without a good health insurance policy, you may get quite a shock when the bills start to arrive. The EMTLA, or Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, ensures that you will get the treatment you need in an emergency situation. This is unconditional so that you will not be denied the necessary lifesaving services.
Health insurance helps to reduce the cost of your medical bills. With a good health insurance policy, you will be responsible for any co-pays or a percentage of your final bill. If you don't have health insurance and are admitted to the hospital on an emergency basis, you will be responsible for all of your own medical expenses. It will be up to you to find the financial resources to pay for all of the bills associated with your stay.
Many hospitals have financial assistance programs that qualify as charity care funds that will help uninsured patients pay at least a portion of their medical expenses. You may also be able to negotiate some or all of your hospital bills before you are actually hospitalized. Many hospitals will negotiate their bills before they go into collections. Once a bill makes its way into collections, half of what is paid stays with them instead of being sent to the hospital. If you have the opportunity to work with an ombudsman. They work to resolve potential issues.
In some cases, it may be just as effective to visit an urgent care center instead of an emergency room. An urgent care visit is more affordable and can cost half as much as a trip to the ER. They can provide you with valuable advice on what your next steps should be. If you need further medical services, they will direct you there to ensure that you get the level of care you need. If you don't have health insurance, visiting an urgent care center may be your best option.
With all of the health insurance options available today, there are many policies that are affordable, even if you are on a tight budget or fixed income. Buying health insurance for a few dollars a month can give you financial security. Even if you are healthy now, an accident or illness may happen without warning. Having health insurance ensures that you are protected and will be able to get the treatment you need without having to worry about high medical bills.
Buying health insurance can be confusing, especially with so many different policies available to choose from. Contact the agents at C.V. Mason & Company Insurance to learn more about all of the different types of health insurance coverage you can choose from! Schedule your appointment today so you can get health insurance you are comfortable with.
