Most people who pay for their own benefits eventually realize that Major Medical is the way to go. Although you handle the small and medium bills, insurance takes over if you have an injury or illness costing more than a fixed limit, usually 3 to 5 thousand dollars.
| First objection: | “I used to have good coverage from my job. I don’t like paying for strep throat tests and X-rays.” |
| Smart shoppers know: | Your employer paid a lot for that plan. Bills for sniffles and sprains are an annoyance, not a threat to your lifestyle, so don’t pay extra for insurance to cover them. |
| Another objection: | “I don’t have three thousand dollars in my pocket. So I could never use a plan with a high deductible.” |
| Smart consumers know: | With insurance, you get better care at a lower price–here’s why:
**Insurance companies have already negotiated discounts for medical procedures. Blue Cross often cuts an emergency room bill by half. You get these discounts even before reaching your deductible, for care that is covered by your plan. **Hospitals sometimes tell non-insured people ”Maybe you should rest and see if you feel better.” because treatment would be expensive. If you have any name-brand insurance, the high deductible is not a problem–the hospital will treat you, then take payments over time, knowing that insurance will pick up if costs get really high. |