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H1N1 Incidents Confirm Importance of Obtaining Illinois Health Insurance
As the flu season takes its toll, caution is advised for Americans to obtain a vaccination. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of having Illinois health insurance. While some people are waiting for the Obama Health Plan to take effect, the uncertainties of being uninsured are not only potentially fatal, but a financial disaster waiting to happen. Recent data, released by the Illinois Health Department (CDC) shows that 20 people have perished and 476 hospitalized due to the H1N1 virus in Illinois. [Source: Illinois Department of Health http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_statistics.htm]
For individuals who are not on public aid and do not have Illinois health insurance, these benefits are not available for "free." In the state of Illinois, 250,000 children are uninsured. Subsequent to the death of a Naperville high school student, uninsured families should explore their affordable medical coverage options.
The Kronishs' experience with H1N1 was a sickeningly expensive fiasco. When Mr. Kronish lost his job, the cobra benefits for a family of six was too expensive to maintain on a $57,000 annual income. Not to mention, all four children aged eight, 11, 13 and 14 had been a pillar of good health.
After their 11-year old son complained of all the symptoms associated with H1N1, an emergency room visit turned into a 23-hour observation; and, thus a $3500 bill for all the tests and overnight stay. In an effort to prevent more of the same, the remaining Kronish family members were vaccinated, costing an additional $375.
Between the ER visit, five H1N1 vaccinations of $375, medical bills were a total of $3875, the same price it would have cost the family to maintain their cobra health benefits. Meanwhile, the Kronishs' remain uninsured with a new hospital bill. Hopefully, they will not be struck by another medical emergency that will set them back even further, financially. In the interim, all Illinois health insurance plans are offering free vaccinations at the doctor's office, health facility and designated companies (CVS, Osco-Drugs and Walgreens).
Sick days, doctor's visits, and medications reflect just a few of the cost differentials between having Illinois health insurance and being uninsured. Most physicians and clinics charge $65 to $150 for a single medical visit. These fees do not include any vaccinations, antibiotics or other medical services. H1N1 is the perfect example of a simple emergency room and overnight observation can mount into a single expensive incident that otherwise an Illinois health insurance would cover.
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