Uninsured? It May Cost You Your Life
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May 21, 2009
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)If you're rushed to the emergency room, a health insurance policy could mean the difference between life and death, a new study has found.
According to data from the National Trauma Data Bank, uninsured patients admitted to the emergency room with a traumatic injury are 50 percent more likely to die from their injuries than patients with insurance.
The logic behind the evidence is not clear. It may be that uninsured patients have untreated underlying medical conditions due to a lack of routine care and are therefore more difficult to treat, or perhaps hospitals are simply less willing to treat those without health insurance.
Whatever the reason, a health insurance policy represents a patient's ability to pay for health care, and is crucial not only to a person's health and physical well-being but also for their ability to receive quality health care in a timely manner.
In an emergency situation, health insurance all but guarantees a patient access to adequate health care services. In non-emergency situations, it offers patients affordable access to routine care and checkups, both of which help medical professionals catch and treat potentially major conditions before they progress--a crucial component for overall health and wellness.
Over 46 million Americans--roughly 16% of the population--are without health insurance. Find affordable health care by comparing free health insurance quotes with InsWeb.com.
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