Never let your health insurance lapse

Many people make a decision to go without health insurance during a lapse of coverage. They believe that they are safe. Either they are very healthy or they just do not believe anything could happen in a short time. I mean it is only going to be a few weeks right?

Don’t fool yourself with these notions. You can not plan the unexpected. A sudden illness or accident can not be avoided. And when it occurs it usually uses unplanned money from your budget. I have heard all the sad stories of financial horrors due to someone not having insurance.

One of these stories is about a young college grad named John. John had not yet found a career and was dropped off of his parents health insurance. He did not find temporary health insurance because he did not find it necessary since he had not been sick in a long time. Fifteen days later he found himself in the hospital with complications of the flu.

John never imagined this could happen. He was a young healthy guy. But it did. All of Johns medical bills combined came to near $10,000. It took him nearly 6 years to repay that unneeded debt. John now refuses to go without health insurance no matter what!

Another story is that of Carmen. Carmen suddenly losther job and her health insurance. She knew you should find another job soon and would have health isnurance in a matter of months so she was not real worried about it. One month later Carmen slipped on some ice hit her head and was rushed to the ER by ambulance.

Carmen had been knocked out cold for 30 minutes so they didn’t know what kind of damage the fall had made. They ran 2-3 test to rule out any bleeding on the brain or damage to the skull or neck. After a day of testing and probbing they released her saying she had a minor concussion. The bills where enormous. She could not pay them.

If Carmen and John had taken out the short term policies meant to save you from financial hardship they could have avoided this. The financial safety net of short term health insurance is necessary to everyone. Insurance is for the unexpected and as you can so they do occur!

So you see, it is true you may never use short term health insurance if you purchase it. However, if you do it is well worth the small cost to purchase it. Most plans are available for 1-12 months so there is no excuse to go one day without some coverage.