If you are one of millions of Americans without health insurance you are not alone. Just look at these facts as published by the National Coalition on Health Care.

Who are the uninsured?

• Nearly 46,000,000 Americans, or 18% of the population under the age of 65, were without health insurance in 2007, according to the latest government data.¹
• The number of uninsured rose 2,200,000 between 2005 and 2006 and has increased by almost 8,000,000 people since 2000.¹
• In 2007, 37,000,000 workers were uninsured because not all businesses offer health benefits, not all workers qualify for coverage and many employees cannot afford their share of the health insurance premium.¹
• The number of uninsured children in 2007 was 8,100,000 – or 10.7% of all children in the United States.¹
• Young adults (18-to-24 years old) remained the least likely of any age group to have health insurance in 2007 – 28.¹ percent of this group did not have health insurance.¹
• The percentage and the number of uninsured Hispanics increased to 32.¹%t and 15,000,000 in 2007.¹
• Nearly 40% of the uninsured population resides in households that earn $50,000 or more.¹ A growing number of middle-income families cannot afford health insurance payments even when coverage is offered by their employers.

One problem I have seen all too often when a person who has no health insurance is injured in an accident they do not seek, or at least limit, their treatment. This hurts them in a couple ways, first they do not get all the care they need for the treatment of their injuries, and secondly the record and scope of their injuries look smaller to the insurance companies and possibly a jury.

If you have no health insurance and are injured in an accident or as the result of a crime (Link to Crime Victims Page) you do have options. Some doctors are willing to work on a “Lien” basis. What this means is that the doctor will treat you as needed and place a lien on your file with the negligent parties insurance company. It requires the doctor be paid before the patient receives any settlement proceeds.

I have literally handled hundreds of cases involving “doctor liens” and there is actually a state law requiring the doctors to reduce their liens in certain circumstances. If you have been hurt in an accident and have no health insurance feel free to contact my office and we can discuss your options.

¹ DeNavas-Walt, C.B. Proctor, and J. Smith. Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007. U.S. Census Bureau., August 2008.