In 2006, there were approximately 47 million uninsured Americans. 

Considering the significant number of lost jobs and the current housing crisis, you can imagine how much that number has grown. 

Among those who have to pay for health insurance on their own, it's not uncommon for the health insurance bill to be ranked very low on the list of monthly bills that have to be paid.  After all, it makes more sense to put the immediate need (to keep a roof over your head) first, as opposed to paying for unforeseen expenses (like hospital or doctor bills). 

If you're self-insured (which means you pay for health care expenses out of your own pocket as they arise; also called "self-pay"), or you're uninsured (which means you haven't gotten around to signing up with a health care provider and paying the bills yourself, rather than your employer paying for health insurance for you), then you are most likely under the assumption that you will be able to cover whatever health care costs might arise -- if and when they occur. 

Here are some reasons to think twice about this strategy...

The death of a spouse is a traumatic experience that can set your head spinning and your heart reeling.  Few people are ever ready for this tragic event emotionally or even financially.

Unfortunately, adding to the inner turmoil that you are probably experiencing, are the financial matters that must be dealt with immediately.  Knowing what needs to be taken care of can be a tremendous help at this point, alleviating some of the stress and tension that is certainly swirling around you.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a relatively new idea. They were started in 2003 by President Bush in an effort to help individuals save for medical expenses on a tax-free basis. 

My family used a Health Savings Account one year. Here are some thoughts about HSAs...

Is saving money part of your New Year's resolution? Do you want to get your personal finances back on track this year?

I've listed 10 ways to take better care of your finances so that by the start of next year, you'll be in a better financial position.

Think you need to include ALL income on your tax return? Think again!

There are several sources of income the IRS tax code does not allow to be taxed. Below I've listed a few types of income that you should not include on your tax return.

Even through we're in the age of electronic tax preparation, there are still a lot of tax deductions that go under the radar. I've compiled a list of what I consider the top 5 tax deductions that most people miss.

Medical costs, along with medical insurance premiums, are out of control in this country! Why is this, and who's to blame?

Why is it that when I have a 10 o'clock appointment with my doctor, I end up sitting in the waiting room for 30 minutes. Next, I wait on the butcher paper in a smaller waiting room on an uncomfortable table for another 15 minutes. Finally, the opportunity comes to see the doctor who barely has five minutes to spend before rushing out the door.

My bill ends up only being $25 dollars because that's what the copay is on my health insurance. I go to the pharmacy to get my prescription filled and it costs me $10 for a pharmacy copay

This is exactly what is wrong with our health system - in this and many other countries. With any other transaction, if the professional was 45 minutes late for our appointment I would have left never to return again. However, with our medical system there seems to be no penalty for failing to provide top level service.

Let's look at the problem a little further and how we can fix it...

You may be able to save money on your taxes if you take advantage of an HSA, otherwise known as a health savings account.

A health savings account is simply a type of savings in which contributions made to the account are tax-deductible. Both earnings and withdrawals are tax free, so long as the money is used to pay for medical expenses.

This may be used to buy bandaids at the pharmacy or to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses such as doctor bills not covered under your insurance plan.

To qualify for an HSA you must have an approved high-deductible health insurance plan. The minimum plan deductible is $1,050 if you are single, and $2,100 if you have a family plan.

The plan must also be considered an approved high-deductible health insurance plan by the IRS. If you are uncertain if your plan qualifies as such, contact your health insurance provider.

Here are some of the benefits and disadvantages of HSAs...

Awhile ago, I had an unpleasant experience regarding HMO's and dental care.

As part of my dental care plan with an HMO (which was a PRE-PAID service plan), I had paid for over one year of dental care which I was ultimately not permitted to use.

Suffice it to say that I have found another (great) dentist and I no longer utilize the services of an HMO. Still, the bigger problem remains. It goes far beyond my little incident with one specific dentist and one specific HMO.

It's more about the politics of the health care industry, as a whole. And how "dues-paying" patients are getting the raw end of the deal each and every day.

Questioning The Health Care Industry
The REAL issue is the manner in which the healthcare industry manages itself.

Specifically, the major and minor injustices which take place within the health care industry on a daily basis are what continue to bother me.

Which is why I was thrilled when I happened upon a movie called "Damaged Care" on the Lifetime Channel the other day. It was about this exact topic!...