The Cost of Getting Sick and Today's Situation

Those who are underinsured find themselves barely able to pay for their coverage. The rising premiums and limits of coverage put a heavy burden on them as medical bills begin to pile up. Many are finding themselves unable to pay for these expenses, having no other option than to file for bankruptcy protection.

These bills and their associated illnesses account for 62% of bankruptcies. The majority of families declaring bankruptcy have insurance but still cannot pay their bills whether because they have lost their income due to the economy or because they can no longer work because they are sick.

With so many Americans unemployed, whether employers offer health care benefits is proving to be a major factor in the type of work people are seeking. The search is not always fortuitous as many employers have cut the benefits they provide. Co-habitating couples have been getting married to take advantage of their spouse’s coverage as well.

Chronic illnesses are the most costly aspect of health care. 75% of the U.S. health care budget went towards treating chronic illnesses in 2007. Many chronic illnesses can be prevented through healthy eating and exercise or other preventative measures. Patients that are diagnosed with chronic illness show an increased enthusiasm for taking care of themselves but are often not able to because they cannot afford to.

Poor health can be very costly. In 2005, the most expensive medical conditions cost $500 billion to treat. Included in these illnesses are cancer, heart disease and diabetes. All of them are preventable, and all are quite expensive. Some people are warming up to the idea of cancer insurance or other forms of supplemental insurance programs to help with the extra expense of chronic illness.

The cost of health care is rising and doctors say that many Americans underestimate the ability to prevent these conditions from developing or escalating beyond control.

Here are some of the most expensive diseases in America:

Heart Disease

Estimated Cost: $76 billion

Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent form of disease in the U.S., affecting more than 80 million Americans. More than 6 million hospitalizations happen each year along with 81 million visits to the doctor. With the current economic situation and the rising cost of care, these numbers are expected to spike in the coming years.

Trauma Disorders

Estimated Cost: $72 billion

Trauma disorders follow closely behind heart disease in terms of cost. The level of medical expenditure has doubled from 1996 to 2003, and spending continues to rise every year thereafter. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that $29 billion was spent on hospital stays in 2005. $26 billion was spent on outpatient medical procedures and $9 billion on emergency room visits.

Cancer

Estimated Cost: $70 billion

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the nation, with a death toll of 500,000 yearly. The costs associated with cancer and associated treatments are astronomically high, coming in at $70 billion a year.

Mental Disorders

Estimated Cost: $56 billion

The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 50 million Americans are diagnosed with mental health issues every year. The conditions are often severe enough to interfere with day to day activities. Medication and treatment is at an estimated $29 billion each year.

Asthma and COPD

Estimated Cost: $54 billion

A 2003 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology finds that the annual cost of care for asthma patients in $4,912. Insurance coverage for these conditions varies greatly, with some companies not providing coverage for medications at all.

High Blood Pressure

Estimated Cost: $42 billion

High blood pressure can cause a number of other issues and it isn’t until these issues arise that people seek help. As a major factor for heart failure and stroke, the cost of this condition in 2005 was $22 billion.

Type 2 Diabetes

Estimated Cost: $34 billion

The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes has doubled in the past 16 years. The amount spent on medications and procedures is $35 billion a year. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a number of different factors but is largely avoidable through healthy diet and living.

Preventative care is vital to ensuring that you don’t succumb to any of these conditions. Early detection and action is enough to stop even heart disease in its tracks.

The problems with health care are not easily fixed. Reform is necessary, that much is clear, but the issues are debated too frequently and for too long to bring immediate benefit to the people. Until decisive action is taken, health care will continue to put a strain on people that cannot afford to be without it.