How Not Having Proper Health Insurance Impacts Your Regular Health Checkups And Doctor Visits

Due to a lack of health insurance, people sometimes tend to delay the medical care they should have received on time due to a lack of financial support. Uninsured individuals usually delay medical care due to financial constraints. This typically includes delays in routine check-ups and screenings, which are essential for the early detection of any disease. So, health insurance is crucial.

Without receiving proper medical care at the right time, many diseases remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late, making conditions more challenging to treat or potentially severe.

“A single disease or emergency can become extremely costly, and many individuals or families are unable to bear such expenses, which can lead to debt and further worsening of their health conditions. Hence, it is essential, in this era of medical inflation, to keep yourself secure in case of any emergency,” says Bhaskar Nerurkar, head- health administration team, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 

Quite often, illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer go unnoticed until they become severe, making treatment more difficult and costly. “This can cause a significant financial burden on individuals, often forcing them to use their savings or sell assets.

Health insurance helps by covering the cost of regular screenings and doctor visits, making it easier to screen health issues early on and avoid high medical expenses later,” says Siddharth Singhal, head, health insurance, Policybazaar. While you need OPD insurance to cover the cost of doctor visits, most health insurance policies come with a free annual checkup option. Also, if you are in the old tax regime, you can get a deduction of Rs 5,000 for a medical checkup under section 80D.

The Hidden Cost Of Skipping Health Insurance

Uninsured individuals without health insurance typically delay preventive care due to cost concerns. As a result, diseases may go undetected or be diagnosed late, which can lead to the disease reaching more advanced stages, making treatment more complex and costly. “This affects not only one’s health but also one’s finances, and without insurance, even minor injuries can cost thousands of rupees. Many uninsured individuals lose their life savings due to this negligence,” says Nerukar. 

In fact, not having health insurance often leads to people waiting until their health problems get worse before they seek help. They may skip follow-ups or try to treat issues by self-medication, which can lead to more serious health issues. “Health insurance does more than just cover costs; it encourages people to take care of their health proactively, track their medical history, and make better decisions at the right time,” says Singhal.