While many uninsured anticipate Obama’s Health plan to take effect, this season’s flu epidemics serve as a gentle reminder that being uninsured is non-negotiable. According to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), the H1N1 virus is responsible for 20 deaths and 476 hospitalizations. [Source: Illinois Department of Health http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_statistics.htm] Residents covered with Illinois health insurance, as well as those, who are uninsured, are advised to obtain flu and H1N1 vaccinations. Given the uncertainty of the virus, minor to fatal events are possible.

Insurance companies are working in accordance with the Centers for Disease control, the American Medical Association IAMA) medical facilities, as well as other locations throughout Illinois. Unfortunately, these benefits are not applicable to the uninsured. Approximately, 250,000 children are uninsured in the state of Illinois. [Source: http://www.allkidscovered.com/]. Following the sudden death of a 14-year old high school student of Naperville, families without medical coverage have several affordable health insurance options.

Forgoing Illinois health insurance proved to be a sickeningly expensive misstep for the Kronish family. When the head of the household loss his job, extending cobra benefits for a family of six seemed unreasonable. Besides, their four children aged 14, 13, 11 and eight were always healthy.

The Kronishs’ rushed their 11-year old son to the hospital, after he complained of symptoms similar to the ones used to describe the H1N1 virus. The emergency room visit turned into an overnight of observation valued at $3500. To prevent another problem, the rest of the family was vaccinated at a doctor’s office for another $375. Not having Illinois health insurance cost them $3875. Meanwhile, the entire – cost the Kronish family medical bills ended up costing the same amount as medical coverage for the entire family. While they’re making payments on the emergency bill, they remain uninsured and protected from any potential other medical crises.

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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