None of us plans to get sick or hurt, but we will most likely need medical care at some point in our lives, whether it's a genetic health issue or the result of an accident. These days, when medical bills for a minor accident can be outrageous, most people choose to purchase health insurance to cover a part (or all) of their medical bills. Insurance is used to pay medical bills in various situations, and it offers many essential benefits that are critical in maintaining your health and recovering from illness or accidents. 

Here are four times you need insurance to cover your medical bills.

1. Accident Medical Bills 

A car accident, a slip on a wet sidewalk, or a fall from a ladder can all wind up causing you many post-accident issues. Beyond your injuries, the cost of medical bills after an accident can be severe pain, especially when it was a serious one. The legal experts at https://www.kentuckycourage.com/ explain that apart from the medical bills themselves, you are also at risk of missing work, which can make it very difficult to make ends meet. At these times, insurance can ease your financial pressure with lump-sum cash benefits that are paid directly to you to help you cover any expenses related to your accident. 

This cash amount will vary depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your accident, but your insurance company can go from paying a part of your expenses to 100% of your medical bills. While some people choose to deal with the insurance company themselves, it is always beneficial to hire an accident lawyer to advise you on this matter. A good accident attorney can look into your case and advise you step-by-step until you get the best payout possible. 

2. Medical Bills from Pregnancy and Labor

Having a baby is the most amazing thing in the world, but pregnancy and childbirth are costly and come with dozens of medical bills. In the first trimester, you are expected to see your doctor for check-ups every month. If you experience a complicated pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe additional tests and drugs, such as prenatal vitamins, labwork, early ultrasounds, or cell-free fetal DNA testing. 

In the second trimester, you will continue with the check-ups, together with glucose screening, maternal blood screening, Amniocentesis, and Ultrasound. In the third trimester, you will visit your doctor every other week, and may also join birthing classes. When it comes to delivery, the final bill can have many unexpected costs as hospitals charge you per service. With all of these medical bills stacking up, it is wise to purchase insurance to help set your mind at ease about these expenses. The medical services that are covered depend on each insurance provider, so it's wise to learn about the costs you can expect and choose the right insurance for you.

3. Medical Bills from Preventive Services

You don't just get medical bills when you are sick or injured; nowadays, we also enjoy the latest innovations in medication and preventative healthcare. Preventive care can help detect a disease or medical problems before they have even manifested and become a major problem, and this helps to reduce the cost and severity of the symptoms. While this is obviously very beneficial, these routine services can cost an arm and a leg. The insurance covers some of the most fundamental preventive care services and their frequency, including annual check-ups, flu shots, mammograms, colonoscopies, and vaccinations. Most insurance plans are required by law to cover preventive care at 100%, but it's still important to check the offer from your insurance company before purchasing.

4. Post-Surgery Hospital Bills

No one wants to go through a surgery that ends up keeping you in a hospital bed for days and days, but most of us will, unfortunately, experience this at some point in our lives. Sometimes, the cost of post-surgery hospitalization ends up being more expensive than the treatment itself. On average, you can expect to pay around $30000 for a 3-day hospital stay in most American hospitals. Most quality insurance plans will cover at least a part of your hospital bills, depending on your package and your provider's policy. This coverage can really help take away a lot of pressure post-hospitalization. 

Medical costs can lead people without insurance coverage into debt and even bankruptcy. It's always wise to purchase insurance that can help ease the pressure of your medical bills and protect yourself and your family if something unfortunate happens to you. Be sure to look into the various insurance plan options available to decide which is best for you.