Worried about the rising cost of health care?
April 22, 2026
Does the cost of health insurance outweigh the benefits?
| More people are asking these questions. Some believe the cost of health insurance might outweigh the benefits. Roughly 6 out of 10 adults say they are either “very worried” or “somewhat worried” about being able to afford the cost of health care for themselves and their families. It ranks at the top of the list of things people worry about affording, followed by food, utilities, and other household expenses.1 But going without health coverage can expose someone to significant financial risks if an unexpected medical situation occurs. That’s why the Dealer Benefits Program offers many voluntary viable health solutions rather than one type of plan for all Dealers regardless of location and size of business. It’s true, health care can be expensive (see some quick facts below). But that cost can be reduced by provider network access and other benefits of a BASIC or “Core Medical” plan. While the cost of medical care can feel overwhelming, having health insurance can help you feel better about being less exposed financially. |
| So first, let’s look at the importance of medical coverage versus going without. Here are the current facts:  Emergency healthcare can be expensive, even for a single visit – The average ER visit in the U.S. costs approximately $2,700, and charges commonly exceed $3,000 depending on the severity of the condition and services provided.2 These costs can add up when diagnostic testing, imaging, or specialty care are involved.  Hospital care can create unexpected medical bills – The average per-day hospital cost is $3,025, with California ($4,337) the most expensive and Mississippi ($1,425) the least.3 Even short hospital stays can cost thousands of dollars, while cases involving inpatient care or advanced treatment can result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.  Uninsured individuals face a higher risk of medical debt – Research shows that high medical costs often translate into long-term financial strain for uninsured individuals and they are more likely to carry medical debt than those with healthcare coverage.4 |
| Solution: voluntary flexible health coverage options to help manage costs BASIC or “Core Medical” plans like TriTerm Medical insurance, Health ProtectorGuard fixed indemnity, and Short Term Medical, all underwritten by our Dealer Benefits Program affiliate Golden Rule Insurance Company, may be potential solutions to your cost concerns.5 Especially mid-year, outside the government regulated Open and Special Enrollment Periods for Major Medical “Marketplace” plans, these health plans offer flexible options to get healthcare coverage at a price that works. For quick and easy reference, check-out our Benefits Program webpage on “BASIC Health Solutions – Actually Affordable” here to help you understand and compare coverage options. Since this is a U-Haul style “do-it-yourself” Benefits Program, if you find a health plan that works for you and your family, you can enroll yourself online here at the Benefits Program dedicated website. |
| Sources: 1https://www.kff.org/health-costs/americans-challenges-with-health-care-costs/ 2https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost 3https://www.debt.org/medical/hospital-surgery-costs/ 4https://www.kff.org/uninsured/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/ 5These products are not available in every state. You will be asked to enter your residence Zip Code to show product availability in your state. Those products approved by your state insurance authority will be shown. Additional source information © 2026 by Golden Rule Insurance Company |