Residents of Salt Lake City, Utah tend to wonder if they are getting the best healthcare possible for their money. Utah has a reputation as one of the most conservative states in the country. It is also known for its high quality of life and low crime rates. However, it is not without problems.
Utah is an extremely rural state with only about 2 million people living there. The majority of those residents live in urban areas such as Salt Lake City or Provo. There are also many small towns scattered throughout the state that have populations under 1,000. Many of these cities and towns do not have hospitals or clinics. They rely on ambulance services to get them medical attention when needed.
Utah is also home to several large military bases. These bases provide health care to thousands of soldiers and civilians who work at the base. If you live near a military base, you may be eligible for free health care through TRICARE which is the government’s insurance program for active duty members and veterans. The rest of the population must pay for their own health care. This means that they either purchase private insurance or go without coverage. In some cases, they can qualify for Medicaid but this requires filing certain paperwork.
The cost of healthcare varies greatly from person to person. Some people can afford to pay out-of-pocket while others cannot. Those who are uninsured often end up paying more than what they would pay if they had insurance. In addition, many people choose to forego treatment because they cannot afford it.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010. It was designed to make healthcare affordable for all Americans. The ACA mandates that everyone buy health insurance. It also provides subsidies so that individuals making less than $45,960 per year will receive help with the cost of insurance.
Some states have taken steps to try and improve the situation. For example, in 2016, Washington State passed a bill that allowed anyone to obtain a driver license regardless of whether or not they had health insurance. This made it easier for residents to access healthcare.
If you are looking for information on how to find cheap healthcare options in Utah, contact Healthbridge Insurance solutions today. Our advisors are well-versed in SLC’s admittedly complex healthcare industry, and can help guide you to the right path in order to get the proper coverage, exactly when you need it.