This year’s flu concerns should heed caution for individuals, who do not have Illinois health insurance. At present date, the H1NI has assumed 20 lives and hospitalized 476. [Source: Illinois Department of Health http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_statistics.htm] Between the sick days, doctor’s visits and other medical necessities, the uncertainties of the H1N1 virus are too ominous to chance until the Obama health plan is finalized.
It is estimated that some 250,000 children in the state of Illinois do not have medical coverage. With the death of a Naperville high school student, uninsured families have a few affordable health care plans. [Source: http://www.allkidscovered.com/]
The Kronishs’ experience with H1N1 was a sickeningly expensive fiasco. When Mr. Kronish lost his job, the cobra benefits for a family of six was too expensive to maintain on a $57,000 annual income. Not to mention, all four children aged eight, 11, 13 and 14 had been a pillar of good health.
After their 11-year old son complained of all the symptoms associated with H1N1, an emergency room visit turned into a 23-hour observation; and, thus a $3500 bill for all the tests and overnight stay. In an effort to prevent more of the same, the remaining Kronish family members were vaccinated, costing an additional $375.
The cost of a doctor’s office visit or clinic consultation ranges from $60 to $150 if one does not have insurance. Vaccinations are $75 to $85. In Illinois all medical providers are required to dole out H1N1 vaccinations to insured patients, directly billing the insurance company. Additionally, various big box stores, such as Osco Drugs, Walgreens and CVS are providing vaccinations in coordination with the insurance companies.
The H1N1 virus exemplifies how a simple emergency room visit and an overnight observation can add up to an expensive incident that a normal Illinois health insurance policy would cover.
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