Obtaining health insurance coverage not only protects you and your family from financial ruin, but alleviates the financial burden of having insurance for your fellow Americans. Why? Not only is the cost of medical care more for the uninsured, but if unpaid the burden of subsidizing the expenses fall upon the government and those who are insured.

It has been estimated that the uninsured only compensate roughly 30% of their total medical bills. The outcome of these financial shortcomings results in hospitals and physicians being inadequately reimbursed. Unfortunately, the government typically does not subsidize hospitals and doctors so the cost falls upon private insurance carriers. This cost then undoubtedly trickles down to the insured by way of their monthly premium. Specifically, on average 8% of a family’s health insurance premium is directly related to paying for the uninsured.

Read the full post on Cost of the Uninsured.