Having health insurance has its advantages and disadvantages.
Millions of Americans go without health insurance and the benefits such insurance provides. Health care reform efforts are attempting to make health insurance more accessible to the public and modify the health care system so that it will be a more positive situation for the country. As it stands, health insurance has its advantages along with a set of disadvantages that make health care in the Unites States less than perfect.
Prevention
One of the most significant advantages of having health insurance is the ability to prevent diseases through early detection and doctor recommended lifestyle changes. This prevention not only keeps citizens healthier, but it also saves money on the expense of the health care that would otherwise be required to deal with the problem when it arises.
Those without insurance do not usually have the money to spend on regular preventative visits to the doctor when there is no apparent problem. It results in more sickness for uninsured people, which leads to increased health care costs when the industry ends up treating major illnesses without the ability to collect payment form those patients.
Peace of Mind
Having health insurance leads to peace of mind for those who have it. If a nagging problem (such as an unusual pain), persists in someone with health insurance they can go to the doctor without significant out-of-pocket expense and get it checked out even if it leads to diagnostic testing. When they find out they have nothing to worry about or that they are set up to receive the proper treatment, it can be a burden off the shoulders of the patient.
Those without health insurance may suffer with symptoms for months or years without ever knowing what is causing them simply because they know they cannot afford to have it diagnosed and treated. This inaction leads to excessive worry about potential health problems.
Less Lost Time
People with health insurance who get sick can take a sick day from work, visit the doctor, get treated and possibly be back to work in a day or two if the illness is minor. It is an advantage to the employee and employer for this quick and easy access to medical attention, since it reduces their lost time on the job.
Premiums And Coverage
The main disadvantage of health insurance is the fact that it costs money. Even though it can potentially save a patient thousands of dollars by having it, there are still monthly premiums that must be paid in order to take advantage of the benefits.
In addition, the constantly rising premiums do not necessarily indicate a higher level of coverage. Many insurance policies are cutting back on the amount of care they will cover and are strictly limiting the services available to those signing up for new policies.
Complicated Rules
Another disadvantage of health insurance is the complicated nature of using it. Many policies require referrals instead of allowing a patient to go straight to a specialist. They may exclude certain medications from coverage or refuse to pay for supposed "elective" procedures that may not be so elective in the patient or doctor’s opinion.
Lack Of Choice
A significant disadvantage of many health insurance policies is the inability of the insured to choose which doctor they see or which hospitals they use. While some policies offer a wider range of choices, most do not have complete freedom in this regard.
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