Waiting for health reform legislation before getting health insurance is a risky move. Assuming the emergency room can be an alternative health care plan when health problems aren't in an emergency state demean the purpose of the available care.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) states that all people, regardless of ability to pay, must be provided proper medical care. However, that proper medical care will be followed up by consequential medical bills and at times, lack of post-op services such as physical therapy or surgery. Focus on prevention first.
EMTALA is not wrong in their statement that all people have the right to medical services, they're just referring to people with a current emergency situation. Hospitals will never turn someone away because they don't have insurance or some other ability to pay for their care. It's the law. This leaves chronic conditions such as cancer, pain or heart disease in the gray area of whether or not to call 911.
Chronic conditions deserve medical treatment as well, but if the chronic condition hasn't sparked the need for emergency medical attention then help could be impossible. Chronic conditions usually end up requiring emergency services, but where's the preventative care? It's there, it's available, but not without the ability to pay for it. Waiting until a health problem is an emergency to get care could be a life or death situation.
What grants a medical problem as an emergency? EmergencyCareforYou.org has a massive list of possible emergency and non-emergency medical situations, but states "Emergency physicians believe it is the responsibility of every individual to learn to recognize the warning signs of a medical emergency." Health insurance is a much more affordable route to receive preventative care as well as help with immediate care in case of an emergency.
Life or death situations will always call for quick help, but don't avoid preventative care while waiting for Washington to take care of reform. If a condition is left untreated, it could be too late, not only for you, but for your wallet.
Written by Amy Munday
HULIQ.com
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