H1N1 Worries Confirm Necessity of Obtaining Illinois Health Insurance

By Holly Bentz

While many uninsured anticipate Obama's Health plan to take effect, this season's flu epidemics serve as a gentle reminder that being uninsured is non-negotiable. According to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), the H1N1 virus is responsible for 20 deaths and 476 hospitalizations. [Source: Illinois Department of Health http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_statistics.htm] Residents covered with Illinois health insurance, as well as those, who are uninsured, are advised to obtain flu and H1N1 vaccinations. Given the uncertainty of the virus, minor to fatal events are possible.

Insurance companies are working in accordance with the Centers for Disease control, the American Medical Association IAMA) medical facilities, as well as other locations throughout Illinois. Unfortunately, these benefits are not applicable to the uninsured. Approximately, 250,000 children are uninsured in the state of Illinois. [Source: http://www.allkidscovered.com/]. Following the sudden death of a 14-year old high school student of Naperville, families without medical coverage have several affordable health insurance options.

Forgoing Illinois health insurance proved to be a sickeningly expensive misstep for the Kronish family. When the head of the household loss his job, extending cobra benefits for a family of six seemed unreasonable. Besides, their four children aged 14, 13, 11 and eight were always healthy.

The Kronishs' 11-year old son had an H1N1 scare that required urgent medical attention. Emergency room doctors ran tests, which lead to an overnight observation. Nerved by the sequence of events, the rest of the Kronish household was vaccinated. In the interim, forgoing Illinois health insurance cost the Kronish family the same amount it would cost to insure the whole family for a year $3875. The Kronish family remains uninsured and saddled with a new hospital bill. With any luck, they won't endure another medical emergency, imposing additional financial duress.

Today, medical clinic and doctor's visits are between $65 and $150. The visit does not cover the cost of any prescriptions or vaccinations. In other words, for the uninsured, the H1N1 vaccination is $75 to $85, compared to the free service, Illinois health insurance plans are promising. Not, to mention, medical coverage policyholders can even go to the local general stores (in example, Walgreens, CVS, Osco, and other locations) for the vaccinations.

These medical benefits are inapplicable for individuals, who do not carry Illinois health insurance. The H1N1 virus demonstrates how the cost of an emergency room visit and overnight observation can quickly turn into exorbitant ordeal that a standard, Illinois health insurance policy would cover. - 30224

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