Is Health Insurance Necessary?

As a single person, you may ask if you really need to spend money on health insurance. The truth is that despite the cost, health insurance protects you in case of a serious illness or accident. If you think your health insurance premiums are expensive, just wait to receive a medical bill without any help from an insurance company.

In the United States, the average cost of a trip to the emergency room is almost $1,100. This does not count tests and any follow-up care or necessary hospitalization. The $1,100 covers the cost of the emergency room doctors and supplies. If X-Rays are needed, expect your bill to increase by at least $125 to $150. MRI's will drive up your bill by another $1,800. CT scans average $1,200.

A broken leg winds up costing you approximately $7,500. This price includes X-Rays, casting, any necessary surgical procedures, and physical therapy. A damaged rotator cuff (common ailment with baseball pitchers) costs almost $8,500 to repair. Hip replacements cost almost $32,000.

If your appendix ruptures, the bill for that necessary surgery tops $11,000. Meanwhile, hernia troubles can run you a bill of almost $6,200. Carpal Tunnel surgery averages $3,200.

Heart troubles requiring a stent or angioplasty lead to a bill of almost $26,000. Coronary bypass surgeries start at $57,000. A diagnosis of chest pain averages $6,000.

Children commonly face having their adenoids removed to help ease chronic ear infections. Did you know that an adenoidectomy costs almost $3,500? A required hospital stay for pneumonia will cost around $8,000.

Childbirth costs range from $5,000 to $11,000 depending on the situation. Receiving a c-section drives the cost up.

If you require normal medical care, you might be surprised at what routine care costs. An average trip to your family doctor costs a little more than $50. If you are a new patient, the more complex visit will cost around $150. This does not even count the necessary tests. Standard tests drive up your average doctor bill.

- Blood count: $35

- Blood Sugar Test: $45

- Cholesterol Test: $60

- EKG: $64

- Liver Function: $45

- Mammogram: $105

- Pap Smear: $55

- Pregnancy Test: $25

- PSA: $70

- Strep Throat: $35

- Thyroid: $65

- Urine Test: $15

Knowing some of today's average costs for health care, can you really afford to go without health insurance? If the unimaginable does happen, you will certainly want to have an insurance policy covering a portion of the extremely expensive costs.