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A few weeks ago, I had a moment of panic that made me realize how privileged I have been to have health insurance. Ever since the economic downturn, it has been harder for people to find, keep, and get jobs with health insurance. I have been fortunate enough to be able to qualify under my parents' insurance, due to the new law allowing a child to stay on their parents' insurance until the age of 26.
I hope to be under my own plan before that age, but never realized how important it has been to be covered. Over the summer I had to rush to find dental insurance, because it is not covered on my health, so that I could have some dental work done. Thankfully, I was able to get the insurance and pay for it in time so I was not slammed with a huge dental bill.
However, a few weeks ago, I had to make a last minute appointment with my doctor because of a sinus infection. I soon realized that my parents were in the middle of switching insurances and I had yet to receive my new insurance card. I definitely couldn't afford a full doctor visit, so I called and asked the receptionist what I could do. Once I got the visit situated I realized that I was going to need medicine. I didn't know if I could get my pharmacy to look up my plan on the computer the way the doctor's office did.
On my way to pick up my prescription, I began thinking about how many people don't even have health insurance. How selfish of me. I was panicked over an en-route insurance card when many people can't even go to the doctor when they need to; and not because of an insurance card, but because of having no insurance at all.
While I couldn't afford to pay a full doctor visit and didn't have to, I should have been grateful it wasn't a major medical issue and that I still had insurance. Instead, I was worried I would have to pay the full bill, one time. t was an eye-opening experience that made me realize how lucky I am to have insurance, and made me give empathy to those who don't.