If you're healthy, you probably don't think about health insurance - until you
get sick or injured. Then, health insurance can become the most important thing
in your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you've ever experienced an
unexpected health crisis and been without health insurance, you know what a
financial and emotional disaster it can be.
Most people who are full-time employees of large companies receive health
insurance as part of their employee benefit package. But if you work part-time,
work in a small office, are self-employed or unemployed, you may be among the
more than 44 million people in this country who aren't covered.
So, if you don't have health insurance, take a look below at what some typical
medical services cost.
| Medical Service |
Typical "Retail" Price |
| Hip Replacement |
$45,000 |
| Normal Birth |
$3,900 |
| MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) |
$1,200 |
| Cesarean Section |
$8,000 |
| Appendectomy |
$7,500 |
| Kidney Transplant |
$98,000 |
In addition to the costs for procedures, hospitals and physicians, you may also
be responsible for paying for expensive medications. Accidents can also lead to
major medical expenditures. Each year, more than 6 million people are injured
in auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, the average cost of minor injuries resulting from an auto
accident is about $13,900, while a serious injury can result in $790,000 or
more in medical expenses.
Being without health care insurance puts you and your family at risk!
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