Is Health Insurance Worth It? The Real Cost of Going Without Coverage

In recent years, the conversation around health insurance has become more complex than ever. With rising premiums, high deductibles, and ongoing debates about the future of healthcare in the U.S., many people are left wondering: Is health insurance worth the cost? For some, the monthly premium feels like a financial burden, while others may opt out of coverage entirely, believing they can manage health costs on their own. But in an age where medical bills can easily skyrocket, is going without insurance a risky gamble or a sound financial choice?

This blog will explore whether health insurance is truly worth the expense. We’ll dive into the financial risks of not having coverage—how an unexpected illness or injury can lead to overwhelming costs. We’ll also examine the benefits of having insurance, from protecting your finances to ensuring access to necessary medical care. Lastly, we’ll take a look at the potential consequences of going without coverage, considering both immediate and long-term impacts on your health and wallet.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer picture of whether paying for health insurance is a wise investment for you—or if, for some, it’s better to take the risk and go without.

The Basics of Health Insurance

Understanding the fundamentals of health insurance is essential before making any decisions about whether to have coverage or not. Here’s an overview of what health insurance is, the types available, and some key terms you need to know.

What is Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a contract between an individual and an insurance company that provides financial coverage for medical expenses. In exchange for regular payments (known as premiums), your insurer agrees to cover part of your healthcare costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, and other health-related services. The main purpose of health insurance is to protect you from the high cost of medical care, provide access to essential healthcare services, and ensure that you don’t face financial ruin due to unexpected medical bills.

Types of Health Insurance

There are several types of health insurance, each offering different benefits, coverage, and costs:

Employer-Based Health Insurance: This is the most common type of health insurance for U.S. workers. Employers offer health insurance plans to their employees, often at a subsidized rate, with the employee covering part of the premium. Depending on the plan, employees might have access to networks of doctors and hospitals, and employers often share the cost of premiums, making this an affordable option for many.
Marketplace Plans (ACA/Obamacare): These plans are available through the Health Insurance Marketplace, which was created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Individuals and families can buy insurance through the Marketplace, with options for subsidies based on income. Marketplace plans vary in coverage and cost, but they must include essential health benefits and cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
Medicaid: Medicaid is a government program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility varies by state, but it is primarily for those who earn a low income, are pregnant, disabled, elderly, or children.
Medicare: Medicare is a federal program primarily for people aged 65 and older, though it can also cover younger individuals with certain disabilities. Medicare is split into parts, with Part A covering hospital services, Part B covering outpatient services, and Part D covering prescription drugs.
Short-Term Health Insurance: These plans are designed to provide temporary coverage for individuals who need insurance for a brief period. Short-term plans often provide fewer benefits than traditional insurance and may not cover pre-existing conditions.

Key Terms to Know

When evaluating health insurance, there are several terms you’ll need to understand:

Premiums: The monthly amount you pay to your insurance company for coverage. Premiums can vary widely based on the type of plan, your age, and your health status.
Deductible: The amount you must pay out of pocket for medical expenses before your insurance begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $2,000, you’ll need to pay for the first $2,000 of care yourself, and then your insurance kicks in.
Copayments (Copays): A fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare service, typically at the time of service. For instance, you might pay $20 for a doctor’s visit, while the insurance covers the rest.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: This is the maximum amount you’ll pay for covered services in a year. Once you reach this limit, your insurance covers 100% of the costs for covered services for the rest of the year. This helps protect you from catastrophic medical bills.

How Health Insurance Works

Health insurance works by spreading the cost of medical care across a large group of people. Here’s how it typically functions:

Preventive Care: Many insurance plans cover preventive care at no cost to you, including vaccinations, screenings (like mammograms or cholesterol tests), and annual check-ups. Preventive care is essential for early detection and managing long-term health.
Emergency Services: Health insurance typically covers emergency services such as ambulance rides, ER visits, and hospitalization, though you may need to meet your deductible or pay a copay depending on your plan.
Prescription Drugs: Most health insurance plans help pay for prescription medications, though the level of coverage varies. You may pay a copay for medications or pay a percentage of the drug cost, depending on your plan’s formulary.
Specialty Care: Health insurance often covers specialized services (like surgeries, physical therapy, or mental health services), though these may require pre-authorization or come with higher out-of-pocket costs.

Understanding these basics is crucial when choosing the right health insurance plan for you and your family. Whether you’re purchasing insurance through your employer, the government marketplace, or another source, it’s important to be familiar with how health insurance works to make informed decisions.

The Financial Costs of Health Insurance

Health insurance isn’t just about access to medical care—it’s also about managing the financial side of healthcare. While having coverage provides significant protection against the high costs of medical care, it also comes with its own financial obligations. In this section, we’ll break down the typical costs associated with health insurance, including premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, and the trade-offs you need to consider when deciding whether to purchase coverage.

Breakdown of Typical Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs

When you buy health insurance, there are two main types of costs to consider: monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance). Here’s a closer look at each:

Premiums: The amount you pay each month to keep your health insurance plan active. Premiums can vary widely depending on the type of coverage you have (individual vs. family plan), the insurer, and your plan’s coverage level (bronze, silver, gold, or platinum). For example, the average premium for an individual in the U.S. was about $600 per month in 2023, though it can be higher or lower depending on factors such as your location, age, and health.
Deductibles: This is the amount you must pay for healthcare services before your insurance begins to share the cost. For example, if your deductible is $2,000, you’ll need to pay for the first $2,000 of your medical expenses before your insurer covers any costs. Plans with higher deductibles typically have lower monthly premiums, and vice versa.
Copayments and Coinsurance: After meeting your deductible, you’ll often still need to pay a portion of your medical expenses. Copayments are fixed amounts (such as $25 for a doctor’s visit or $10 for a prescription), while coinsurance is a percentage of the total cost (for example, 20% of the cost of a procedure). The percentage varies based on your plan.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: This is the cap on the total amount you will pay for healthcare services in a given year. Once you reach this amount, your insurance pays 100% of covered expenses for the rest of the year. Out-of-pocket maximums typically range from $4,000 to $8,000 for individuals, depending on the plan.

Average Cost for Individuals, Families, and Different Plans

The cost of health insurance varies significantly based on factors such as your age, health, and location. Here’s a general breakdown:

For Individuals: The average monthly premium for an individual in the U.S. is around $600, but this number can be much higher for people over 50 or with certain pre-existing conditions. If you’re buying insurance through the ACA Marketplace, you may qualify for subsidies if your income falls below a certain threshold.
For Families: The average monthly premium for a family of four in the U.S. is roughly $1,600 to $2,000, but again, this varies based on factors like plan choice, employer contribution (if applicable), and location.
Plans: The cost can also vary depending on the type of plan you select:
- Bronze plans are typically the least expensive in terms of premiums but come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
- Silver plans offer a balance between premium and deductible.
- Gold and Platinum plans have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs and more comprehensive coverage.

High-Deductible Plans vs. Low-Deductible Plans

When choosing a plan, you’ll often face a choice between high-deductible plans (HDHPs) and low-deductible plans:

High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs): These plans typically have lower monthly premiums but higher deductibles. HDHPs are attractive for people who are generally healthy and don’t expect to have many medical expenses. The trade-off is that you’ll pay more out of pocket when you do need care. These plans are often paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which allow you to save money tax-free to pay for medical expenses.
Low-Deductible Plans: These plans generally have higher premiums but lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. They are a better choice for those who expect to have frequent healthcare needs or prefer more predictable costs. These plans are especially useful for families or individuals with chronic conditions or who anticipate needing specialist care.

The Trade-offs: How Paying for Insurance Compares to Paying for Care Out-of-Pocket

One of the biggest questions when deciding whether health insurance is worth the cost is: How do premiums and out-of-pocket costs compare to paying for medical care directly?

Paying for Insurance: If you choose to have insurance, you’re paying for the security of knowing that your medical expenses will be covered, up to a point. Premiums ensure you have access to care, and while you might still face some out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copays), they help prevent major financial setbacks in the event of unexpected medical issues.
Paying Out-of-Pocket: Going without insurance means that you’ll bear the full cost of any medical care you need. Without coverage, you’ll be responsible for all medical bills, which can add up quickly. For example, a single emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the situation. Even routine care, like annual check-ups or lab tests, can be expensive without insurance.

In many cases, paying for insurance makes more sense financially, especially when you consider the potential for catastrophic events that could leave you with overwhelming medical debt. For instance, a major surgery or unexpected hospitalization could easily result in tens of thousands of dollars in bills without coverage.

Hidden Costs and Additional Fees

Even with health insurance, there can be hidden costs that catch people off guard:

Co-Insurance: This is the percentage of medical bills you pay after meeting your deductible. For example, if your coinsurance is 20%, and you have a $5,000 surgery, you could end up paying $1,000 out-of-pocket after your deductible.
Out-of-Network Charges: If you go to a healthcare provider outside your plan’s network, you could face higher costs. Insurance may cover less, and you could end up paying a larger share of the bill. It’s important to understand whether your doctors and hospitals are in-network before seeking care.
Non-covered Services: Some services may not be covered at all under your health insurance plan, such as certain elective procedures, cosmetic treatments, or specialized therapies. It’s important to carefully review your plan to know what’s covered and what isn’t.

The Risks of Going Without Health Insurance

While going without health insurance may seem like a viable option for some, particularly those in good health or with limited financial means, the risks can be severe. The absence of coverage exposes individuals to significant financial and health-related consequences, which can have long-lasting effects. This section will explore both the financial and health risks associated with not having health insurance.

Financial Risks

One of the most pressing concerns for those without health insurance is the potential for overwhelming medical bills. Healthcare costs in the U.S. can be prohibitively expensive, especially when emergency services or specialized care are involved. Here’s a look at the financial risks you face without insurance:

What Happens if You Need Emergency Medical Care Without Coverage?

In the event of an emergency, the costs can be astronomical. For example, an emergency room visit can range from $500 to $3,000 or more depending on the severity of the situation. If you need life-saving surgery or hospitalization, the bills can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you would be responsible for the full amount.

Ambulance Rides: A ride in an ambulance alone can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200, even if you’re not hospitalized.
Surgical Costs: Major surgeries (such as a knee replacement, appendectomy, or heart bypass) can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Hospital Stays: The average cost of a one-day hospital stay can range from $2,000 to $10,000, with longer stays easily reaching much higher figures.

Without insurance, these costs must be paid out-of-pocket, which can easily result in financial devastation.

The Potential for Huge Medical Bills

Even routine medical care, such as diagnostic tests, specialist visits, or minor surgeries, can lead to major expenses without insurance. For example:

X-rays or MRIs might cost anywhere from $100 to $2,500 without insurance, depending on where and how they are performed.
Specialist Visits: A consultation with a specialist could cost anywhere from $150 to $500, not including any follow-up care or procedures.

These costs can quickly add up, especially if you have ongoing or complex health needs, and they are often completely unmanageable without insurance.

Medical Debt: How It Can Cripple Your Financial Future

Without health insurance, you run the risk of accumulating medical debt—an issue that plagues millions of Americans. Medical debt is one of the leading causes of personal bankruptcy in the United States. Even if you’re able to pay part of your bills, the sheer volume of medical debt can lead to long-term financial consequences:

Credit Score Damage: Unpaid medical bills can end up in collections, negatively impacting your credit score and your ability to secure loans, rent housing, or get a car lease.
Wage Garnishment: In some cases, healthcare providers may pursue legal action to collect unpaid bills, leading to wage garnishment or the seizure of assets.
Long-Term Financial Stress: The weight of medical debt can continue to affect your finances for years, potentially limiting your ability to save for retirement, buy a home, or build wealth.

Medical debt can lead to emotional distress as well, as many people find themselves struggling to pay bills while trying to manage their health and daily expenses.

Health Risks

Going without health insurance doesn’t just put your finances at risk—it can also have serious consequences for your physical health. Without regular access to medical care, individuals may face health risks that could otherwise be mitigated or avoided with the right coverage.

Delaying or Avoiding Treatment Due to Lack of Insurance

Without health insurance, people are less likely to seek medical treatment when they need it. Common reasons include:

High Costs of Care: The fear of high out-of-pocket expenses can prevent individuals from visiting a doctor for routine check-ups, treatment for illnesses, or preventive care. This often leads to people waiting until conditions worsen before seeking care, which can make treatment more expensive and less effective.
Avoiding Preventive Care: Many people without insurance skip preventive services like vaccinations, screenings (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies), and wellness check-ups, which can lead to serious health problems down the line. For example, skipping regular screenings for cancer can delay the detection of the disease until it is in its later stages, when treatment is more complicated and expensive.

By delaying treatment, individuals may end up with more serious health problems that could have been prevented or treated more effectively at an earlier stage.

Preventive Care: Missed Screenings and Early Detection of Health Issues

Health insurance provides coverage for preventive care, such as vaccinations, screenings for chronic diseases like diabetes, and early detection of cancers or heart disease. Without insurance, many individuals skip these crucial services due to cost concerns, leaving themselves vulnerable to health complications.

Cancer Screenings: Regular screenings (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies) are crucial for early detection of cancers. Without insurance, individuals might delay or skip these screenings, potentially allowing cancer to progress to a more dangerous and costly stage.
Chronic Conditions: Chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma require ongoing management, including medications, doctor visits, and lifestyle changes. Without insurance, people may struggle to manage these conditions, leading to complications like heart attacks, strokes, or kidney failure—conditions that could have been prevented with regular care.

Preventive care is often cheaper than treating full-blown illnesses, but without insurance, people are less likely to engage in these important health measures, which can result in more severe long-term health outcomes.

Chronic Conditions: Managing Long-Term Health Without Regular Care

People with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable without health insurance. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and asthma require ongoing medical care, medications, and monitoring. Without access to regular care:

Worsening Symptoms: Chronic conditions can worsen over time if they are not properly managed. For instance, untreated diabetes can lead to complications such as nerve damage, kidney failure, or blindness.
Increased Hospitalizations: Without regular care and medication, people with chronic conditions are more likely to experience acute episodes that require emergency care and hospitalization. These hospital stays can be financially devastating if you don’t have insurance, and the additional strain on your health can be life-threatening.

The Benefits of Having Health Insurance

Health insurance offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just covering medical expenses. While the monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs might seem like a significant burden, the protection and advantages it provides are often well worth the investment. In this section, we will explore how health insurance ensures access to necessary medical care, offers financial protection, and provides mental peace of mind.

Access to Necessary Medical Care

One of the most important benefits of health insurance is access to timely, necessary medical care. Health insurance ensures that you can seek the treatment you need without delaying or forgoing care due to cost concerns. Here’s how:

Preventive Care

Health insurance plans typically cover preventive services at no additional cost. This includes things like:

Vaccinations: Immunizations against diseases such as flu, measles, and pneumonia.
Screenings: Regular screenings for conditions such as cancer (mammograms, colonoscopies), heart disease (blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings), and diabetes (blood sugar tests).
Wellness visits: Annual check-ups with your primary care provider to monitor your health and catch any potential issues early.

These preventive services help detect health issues before they become serious, saving you from more expensive treatments later on. For example, regular screenings for breast cancer or colon cancer can help identify problems early, when they are easier (and less expensive) to treat.

Coverage for Major Medical Expenses

While preventive care is important, health insurance is especially crucial for covering major medical expenses. In the event of an emergency, serious illness, or injury, having insurance means that you will not have to pay the full cost out-of-pocket.

Emergency care: If you’re in an accident or experience a sudden illness, your health insurance will cover a significant portion of the costs. This includes everything from ambulance rides to hospital stays and surgeries.
Specialty care: If you require care from a specialist, such as a cardiologist or oncologist, health insurance helps reduce the cost of these often-expensive services.

Without insurance, the cost of a major surgery, cancer treatment, or an extended hospital stay could easily run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Insurance helps absorb these costs, making them more manageable.

Financial Protection

The financial protection that comes with health insurance cannot be overstated. Health-related expenses can quickly spiral out of control, especially if you need extended treatment or hospitalization. Here’s how insurance shields you from the financial burden:

Catastrophic Coverage

Health insurance provides protection from catastrophic medical costs. Even with high-deductible plans, the catastrophic coverage ensures that, after you meet your deductible, insurance steps in to cover a large portion of your medical bills.

Prevents bankruptcy: Without insurance, a serious medical event could leave you drowning in unmanageable debt. A car accident, heart attack, or cancer diagnosis could lead to tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. This is often one of the leading causes of medical bankruptcy in the U.S.
Out-of-pocket maximum: Insurance plans have an out-of-pocket maximum, which caps the amount you have to pay in a given year. Once you hit that limit, the insurance company will cover 100% of your medical expenses for the rest of the year.

For example, if you need emergency surgery that costs $50,000, your insurance plan may only require you to pay a deductible and coinsurance, amounting to a fraction of the total bill. Without insurance, you would be responsible for the entire cost.

Negotiated Rates and Discounts

Insurance companies negotiate discounted rates with doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. These rates are often far lower than what you would pay if you were paying out-of-pocket as an uninsured patient.

Discounted medical bills: When you have insurance, the rates for services such as hospital stays, doctor visits, lab work, and prescriptions are typically reduced due to the insurer’s contract with healthcare providers.
Lower prescription costs: Health insurance also provides access to lower-cost medications through formulary lists and negotiated pricing with pharmacies, reducing the financial burden of expensive drugs.

For example, a hospital might charge an uninsured patient $1,000 for an MRI. However, if you’re insured, the negotiated rate might bring that down to $400, saving you a significant amount.

Mental Peace of Mind

While health insurance provides practical financial and medical benefits, one of its most valuable assets is the peace of mind it offers. Living without health insurance can be stressful, as you constantly worry about what would happen if you or a family member fell ill or suffered an injury.

Reducing the Stress of “What If” Scenarios

Imagine going through a serious health scare or emergency without health insurance. The stress of not knowing how to pay for the medical care you need can be overwhelming. Health insurance helps eliminate this anxiety by:

Providing security: Knowing that your insurance plan will cover a substantial portion of medical costs helps you focus on recovery instead of worrying about how to pay for treatment.
Peace of mind for loved ones: With insurance, your family is protected from the financial strain of medical bills in the event of your illness or injury. This is particularly important if you are the primary breadwinner in your household.

Knowing You Won’t Face Financial Ruin

Health insurance ensures that a single health crisis won’t lead to financial ruin. Without coverage, a major illness could lead to loss of income, medical debt, and long-term financial challenges. Insurance offers a safety net, allowing you to take necessary treatments and focus on getting better rather than drowning in bills.

For example, consider someone who is diagnosed with cancer. Without insurance, they could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. But with health insurance, the individual can undergo necessary treatments without worrying about how they will afford to keep the lights on or pay their rent.

This financial protection not only helps in emergencies but also prevents the kind of ongoing financial stress that can negatively impact mental and emotional health.

Conclusion: Why Health Insurance Is Worth It

Health insurance is much more than just a monthly expense. It ensures access to necessary medical care, provides financial protection from catastrophic events, and offers the invaluable benefit of mental peace of mind. Whether you’re seeking preventive care to stay healthy or facing a major medical emergency, health insurance helps ensure that you’re not left vulnerable to astronomical costs or the stress of “what if” scenarios. The protection it offers—both financially and emotionally—makes it one of the most important investments you can make for yourself and your family.

In the end, the benefits of having health insurance far outweigh the costs, especially when you consider the long-term protection it provides. From preventing financial ruin to ensuring timely, life-saving treatment, health insurance is an essential safeguard in today’s healthcare landscape.

Conclusion: Health Insurance—Is It Worth It?

In this blog, we’ve explored the pros and cons of having health insurance versus going without it. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—your decision ultimately depends on your personal circumstances, health status, and financial situation. Let’s recap the key points before offering final advice on this crucial decision.

The Pros and Cons of Having Health Insurance vs. Going Without It

The Pros of Having Health Insurance:

Access to necessary care: Health insurance ensures you can receive preventive care (like screenings, vaccinations, and wellness checks) as well as treatment for unexpected illnesses or emergencies.
Financial protection: Insurance helps protect you from catastrophic health expenses, which can run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even with premiums, it often costs less than paying for full-price medical care out-of-pocket.
Negotiated rates: Insured individuals benefit from lower, negotiated rates for medical services, which can dramatically reduce the cost of treatments and medications.
Peace of mind: Knowing that you’re covered can reduce the stress of facing an unexpected health crisis or worrying about how to pay for care.

The Cons of Having Health Insurance:

Premiums and out-of-pocket costs: Health insurance isn’t free. Monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can be significant, and if you’re generally healthy, you may feel you’re paying more than you use.
Limited networks and coverage: Depending on the plan, you might face restrictions on which doctors or hospitals you can visit, or not all treatments or medications may be covered.
Hidden costs: Even with insurance, you may still be hit with additional costs like co-insurance, out-of-network charges, or non-covered services.

The Pros of Going Without Health Insurance:

Lower immediate costs: By forgoing insurance, you avoid monthly premiums, which can save you a significant amount in the short term, especially if you’re healthy and rarely need medical care.
Flexibility: You may have the flexibility to choose low-cost alternatives (e.g., short-term health plans, health-sharing ministries) or access community health programs that might suit your needs.

The Cons of Going Without Health Insurance:

Financial risk: The biggest downside is the potential for catastrophic medical bills if something unexpected happens—an accident, severe illness, or emergency care. Without insurance, you could be left with overwhelming debt.
Lack of preventive care: Without insurance, you may skip regular check-ups or screenings, which could lead to missed opportunities for early detection of serious health issues.
Missed coverage for chronic conditions: Managing long-term health conditions without insurance can be financially devastating, as you may face high out-of-pocket costs for treatments, medications, and doctor visits.

The Importance of Assessing Your Healthcare Needs, Financial Situation, and Risk Tolerance

Choosing whether to have health insurance or go without it comes down to assessing your healthcare needs, financial situation, and risk tolerance.

Healthcare Needs: Are you generally healthy, or do you have chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment? Do you have access to preventive care or regular doctor visits? If you’re healthy and have minimal healthcare needs, going without insurance might seem like an option, but always consider the risks of unforeseen medical issues.
Financial Situation: Can you afford the monthly premiums, co-pays, and deductibles that come with health insurance? Or is the cost of insurance a financial strain? If you can’t afford traditional insurance, there are alternatives like short-term plans or Medicaid (if eligible). If you’re in a higher income bracket, skipping insurance might be more of a financial gamble.
Risk Tolerance: How much risk are you willing to take on? While you may save money in the short-term by not paying premiums, you could be setting yourself up for huge financial problems down the road if you need unexpected care. Consider how much you’re willing to risk in terms of both your health and your financial security.

Final Advice: Why, in Most Cases, Health Insurance Is Worth It

While there are situations where forgoing health insurance might make sense—such as for young, healthy individuals without chronic health conditions or significant medical needs—for the vast majority of people, health insurance is worth it.

Here’s why:

Peace of mind: Having insurance gives you a safety net, reducing the worry of facing enormous medical bills or getting stuck in an emergency without coverage. You know that if something goes wrong, you’re protected.
Long-term financial stability: Even if you’re healthy now, insurance provides financial protection from the high costs of emergency care, surgeries, or long-term treatment for unforeseen illnesses. Medical bills are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in the U.S., and health insurance can keep you from facing that risk.
Preventive care and better health outcomes: Insurance encourages you to get regular check-ups and screenings that can catch problems early, improving your long-term health and quality of life. Preventive care is often more affordable than treating serious health issues later.

In conclusion, while paying for health insurance may feel like a burden, it’s an investment in your health and financial security. It can be tempting to skip coverage, especially if you’re young and healthy, but the risks of going without health insurance—financially, medically, and emotionally—usually outweigh the immediate savings. For most people, having insurance provides the best combination of peace of mind, access to care, and protection from unexpected costs.

If you’re on the fence, consider exploring all your options: check out marketplace plans, see if you’re eligible for Medicaid, or look into alternative options like short-term plans or community clinics. Whatever you decide, the most important thing is to make an informed choice based on your health, finances, and personal risk tolerance.