What Is A Consequence Of Not Having Health Insurance? (2025)
Contributor
Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
Summary
- Uninsured people end up with unaffordable medical bills after seeking care
- People without insurance often delay or forgo care, worsening a condition
- Unaffordable medical bills often lead to debt and sacrificing other needs
Health insurance is more than a nice-to-have benefit—which is why health officials often want to increase how many people have health insurance. It can safeguard both your health and your financial well-being. Still, many people can’t or won’t buy health insurance.
But what is a consequence of not having health insurance, and how do you know if getting it is the right choice for you? Here’s what you need to know.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
The Consequences of Not Having Health Insurance
You might wonder: is it cheaper to not have health insurance, or how long can you go without health insurance? But what’s certain is that not having health insurance has financial and health consequences.
Not carrying health insurance exposes you to several financial and health risks.
High Medical Costs
If you get sick or injured, you may quickly learn what is being uninsured and unable to pay for care. Without insurance to subsidize your cost of care, you will need to pay more for the same healthcare services others receive at a fraction of the cost.
Medical Debt
According to the KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation), which studied how many Americans are uninsured, slightly more than six out of 10 of uninsured Americans report medical debt from unaffordable medical expenses, compared to four out of 10 (44%) insured Americans.
State Health Insurance Penalties
The federal mandate for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act ended in 2019. But five states—California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont—and the District of Columbia still require health insurance. Except for Vermont, you must pay a penalty for failing to carry health insurance in these states.
The potential financial fallout from medical bills without insurance can compound the illness or injury you might seek help for.
Here are the general health risks that come with not having health insurance.
Delaying or Forgoing Healthcare
If you can’t afford medical attention, you may put off visiting the doctor or seeking care for an illness or injury. Delaying or avoiding healthcare can worsen illnesses or injuries.
Not Being Able to Afford Medicines
What is a consequence of not having health insurance that can significantly impact your future? Consider prescription drug prices, which continue to rise. This makes medications required to treat chronic conditions out of reach for many people, especially those uninsured. Without the needed medications, your condition can worsen.
Access to Healthcare
You might also find it difficult to locate a primary care physician you can afford to see. Additionally, you may be less likely to visit a doctor for preventive care, such as check-ups, screenings and vaccinations. Without such preventive care, conditions may go undetected, missing the opportunity for early intervention.
The mortality rate among people without health insurance is higher than for people with insurance, according to many health officials.
When Is It Okay Not to Have Health Insurance?
The risks of not having health insurance can be far-reaching. For those wondering how to live without health insurance, a key question to consider is: if you don’t have health insurance, can you go to the hospital?
You can, but if you do go to the hospital and receive treatment, your medical treatment can leave you to cover potentially high medical bills, such as the hospital stay cost per day, out of your own pocket.
Still, there are reasons you might consider going without health insurance, including:
- You are young and healthy, and you can afford any healthcare you need.
- You’re between jobs and expect to have health insurance soon.
- You have to explore alternatives because insurance costs are prohibitive.
One alternative some people turn to is medical insurance because it is generally cheaper than health insurance. However, is medical insurance worth it? Whether it’s worth it depends on your personal situation. If you’re a young adult, you may have the option to stay on your parents' insurance, which can be a more affordable solution.
If you are living without health insurance on purpose, consider checking with your state about any mandate that might require you to pay a tax for not carrying health insurance.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
What Happens if You Don’t Have Health Insurance?
If group health insurance is not available from your job, you may believe you can’t afford health insurance. But what might a person who is uninsured experience during times of illness and injury?
In its report, “Care Without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late,” the National Institutes of Health reviewed studies on the impact of health insurance on health outcomes and concluded those with health insurance used services more appropriately and had better health outcomes.
People without health insurance tend to delay or forgo seeking treatment for illnesses or injuries. However, when they do seek care, they often use hospital emergency rooms, which can involve a high cost. Medical expenses associated with an emergency room typically are higher than other medical costs.
Talk to ConsumerShield About Your Insurance Needs
So what is the consequence of not having health insurance? It depends on your situation, but in general, not having this insurance can put your health and pocketbook at risk. If you want to talk to someone about buying health insurance, turn to ConsumerShield.
At ConsumerShield, sharing information with you is core to what we do, even if you don’t buy from us. Contact us to learn more today.
Free Case Review
Preparing Case Review Form. ConsumerShield is transforming the way consumers experience law.
Health Insurance Knowledge Base
Read the latest information on Health Insurance and find answers to your questions. Currently there are 19 topics about Health Insurance .
Not Having Health Insurance
What Is A Consequence Of Not Having Health Insurance? (2025)
Deductible Vs Out-Of-Pocket
Deductible Vs. Out-Of-Pocket Maximum: What’s The Difference?
How Much Take
How Much Dental
Urgent Care Cost
Stay On Parents
Group Insurance
Ambulance Ride Cost
HRA vs. HSA
Hospital Indemnity Worth
Insurance Worth It
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires hospital emergency rooms to treat you to stabilize you. However, you likely will get hit by substantial medical bills, which you may get help for from a payment plan or charity services from a hospital.
-
People can have several reasons for not buying health insurance. For some, the premium might be too high relative to their income. Others might misjudge the risk of getting sick or injured. High-net-worth individuals or those with substantial savings might also deem the potential loss not worth the investment.
-
You can go to a hospital without health insurance. Expect to pay more for healthcare, though, such as higher fees for tests, procedures and a hospital stay. You can request a good-faith estimate before care. Emergency rooms must treat you for life-threatening situations, although you will be billed.
-
You can receive medical care. However, you must pay out of pocket, and it may be expensive. A hospital must treat you for an emergency. For non-emergency care, you can visit urgent care centers or walk-in clinics, as urgent care cost estimates are typically lower than that of emergency rooms.
