Health insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense when you’re healthy and injury-free. But having coverage is critical to protecting yourself — and your wallet — against the unexpected. Need more convincing? Here are six reasons you should consider getting health insurance even if you don’t think you need it.

1. Unexpected accidents and illnesses get expensive.

According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 26 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 had problems paying medical bills. Among the uninsured, however, that number jumps to more than 53 percent.

Hospital and doctor visits get expensive fast without insurance. That even goes for little injuries that happen unexpectedly: A broken arm costs around $2,500 to treat, and can run you more than $16,000 if you require surgery.

The best way to prevent big medical bills is to invest in a health insurance plan — even a less-expensive option with basic coverage caps your spending and protects you from bankruptcy.

2. All plans come with free preventive care.

As long as you buy a qualified health plan (in other words, it’s not a short-term or alternative health plan), you get access to free preventive care. These services include tests and screenings, annual checkups, and more services that help you stay healthy and identify conditions early when chances for a cure are better. The best part? Preventive care is 100 percent covered by your health plan, which means you won’t have to pay a thing beyond your monthly premium!

3. It’s easier to get follow-up care.

You know emergency medical care at an E.R. or urgent care is expensive without insurance. But what happens after your emergency? Paying out-of-pocket for follow-up care, like physical therapy or the removal of stitches, can also drain your piggy bank. If you decide to opt out of these services to save money, you risk delaying (or preventing) a full recovery. Either way, you’ll be dealing with your injury for much longer than you anticipated, and if that injury prevents you from working, the long-term consequences can be huge.

4. You can include your family on your plan.

Have children? Add them as dependents on your health plan. Children with health coverage are less likely to miss school, which means you’ll miss fewer days of work. Your kids will also be more likely to get the necessary immunizations and checkups that ensure they are developing correctly and protected from disease. With insurance, most of these services are completely free, making them worth the cost of your monthly premium alone.

Insider tip → All qualified health plans include dental coverage for children, too!

5. You may have more plans to choose from this year.

Didn’t like your plan options last year? Take a few minutes to shop around. Many companies update their plans each year, and major insurers may have expanded to cover your state:

Alabama: UnitedHealthcare
Arkansas: Oscar Health
Arizona: Aetna CVS Health
California: Bright Healthcare
Connecticut: ConnectiCare Insurance Company
Georgia: Aetna CVS Health, Bright Healthcare, Cigna, Friday Health Plans, UnitedHealthcare
Florida: Aetna CVS Health
Illinois: Oscar Health
Indiana: US Health and Life
Mississippi: Cigna
Missouri: Aetna CVS Health
Nebraska: Oscar Health
Nevada: Aetna CVS Health, Hometown Health Plan
North Carolina: Aetna CVS Health, Friday Health Plans
Oklahoma: Friday Health Plans
Pennsylvania: Cigna
Texas: Aetna CVS Health, Bright Healthcare, Moda, UnitedHealthcare,
Virginia: Aetna CVS Health, Innovation Health Plan

6. Your plan might not be very expensive.

Health insurance has never been more affordable than it is right now, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Three out of five people qualify for health plans for $50 per month or less, and on average, people save $526 per month on insurance with the help of tax credits.

You’ll be eligible for a tax credit if you make between 100 and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Line. Check out this guide to accurately estimate your income for maximum savings.

Ready to shop around?

Search all your available options at the best prices right here on Stride. Plus, check to see if you qualify for a tax credit or talk one-on-one with a licensed specialist to find your most affordable option with ease. Enter your ZIP code below to get started.

Do I Need Health Insurance? 6 Reasons to Buy Coverage