Question

Which of the following make a person less likely to have health insurance?Select one or more answers from the cboices shown. a. Working for a larger firm. b. Being a low-wage worker. c. Being employed. d. Having excellent health. e. Being chronically ill.

Short answer

Options b and d make a person less likely to have health insurance.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Health Insurance Influencers

Identify the characteristics that commonly affect a person's likelihood of having health insurance. People who work for larger firms often have access to employer-provided insurance, which makes them more likely to be insured. Employment generally increases the likelihood of insurance through employer benefits. Being a low-wage worker may mean less access to employer insurance or inability to afford personal insurance, making it less likely to have insurance. Those in excellent health might choose not to purchase insurance thinking they don't need it. Chronically ill individuals are likely to need insurance for ongoing treatment, encouraging them to get insured.

Evaluating Each Option

Evaluate each option based on the typical characteristics discussed in Step 1: - a. Working for a larger firm usually increases insurance likelihood, so it does not make a person less likely to have health insurance. - b. Being a low-wage worker decreases the likelihood due to affordability issues. - c. Being employed generally increases insurance likelihood through employer benefits. - d. Having excellent health might decrease the likelihood as individuals may not see the need for insurance. - e. Being chronically ill increases the likelihood of having insurance due to the need for medical care.

Selecting Correct Answers

Choose options based on Step 2 where there is a decreased likelihood of having health insurance: - Option b (Being a low-wage worker) is correct because low-wage earners may not afford insurance or have access through their employer. - Option d (Having excellent health) is correct because some individuals may opt out of insurance if they are confident they won't need medical care.

Key concepts

Employment Benefits

Employment benefits are perks that companies often provide their workers, and health insurance is a popular one among them.
When a company offers health insurance as part of its employment benefits, it helps ensure that employees have access to healthcare services when needed.
This provision not only makes the workplace attractive to potential employees, but also helps keep the current employees healthy and productive.

Here are some typical employment benefits related to healthcare:

• **Employer-provided health insurance**: Many larger firms offer this benefit to attract and retain employees, making it more likely for their workers to be insured.
• **Flexible spending accounts**: Allow workers to set aside pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health expenses.

Smaller companies or those offering low-wage positions might not provide these benefits, which can impact a worker’s healthcare coverage.
The lack of such benefits often leads employees to seek insurance on their own, sometimes resulting in gaps in coverage.

Low-wage Workers

Low-wage workers often face significant challenges in accessing health insurance due to the nature of their employment and pay scale.
These workers typically receive lower incomes, which can limit their ability to afford insurance premiums on their own, especially if their employers do not offer health benefits.
This often leads to higher rates of uninsured individuals within this income group.

Key factors affecting low-wage workers' access to health insurance:

• **Limited employer-provided benefits**: Many low-wage jobs do not include health insurance as part of their benefits package.
• **High insurance costs**: Even with subsidies, the cost of health insurance can be prohibitive for low-wage workers.

This group may also experience instability in employment, which directly affects their ability to stay continuously insured.
Without affordable and continuous access to healthcare, their overall health outcomes can suffer.

Access to Healthcare

Having health insurance is a critical factor in gaining access to healthcare services.
Without insurance, individuals might find it challenging to afford routine medical care, preventative services, or treatments for chronic conditions.
Health insurance acts as a gateway to a broader range of healthcare services that are essential for maintaining good health.

Access to healthcare can include:

• **Routine checkups and preventative care**: Catching health issues early can prevent more serious problems.
• **Emergency care and hospital stays**: These are typically covered by insurance, ensuring that individuals can receive necessary care without excessive financial burdens.

People who lack access to healthcare are more likely to experience severe health issues, missed work due to illness, and reduced quality of life.
Ensuring that everyone can access healthcare is essential in improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs overall.

Insurance Affordability

Insurance affordability is a significant concern for many people, especially those who earn lower wages.
The cost of health insurance premiums, copayments, and deductibles can be overwhelming, making it difficult for individuals to maintain coverage.
When insurance is unaffordable, people might choose to forego it until they are in need of medical care, which can come with financial risks.

Key elements influencing insurance affordability:

• **Premium costs**: The monthly fees that individuals must pay to maintain their health insurance coverage.
• **Out-of-pocket expenses**: Costs that individuals must cover before insurance kicks in, such as deductibles and copayments.

Governments and organizations work to bridge this gap by offering subsidies and programs designed to lower the financial burden on low-income individuals.
Making insurance affordable is a key step in ensuring that all individuals can secure necessary healthcare without fear of financial strain.