I get it. You're probably young, feeling invincible, and don't need health insurance. In the face of the flu, you just make a quick trip to the pharmacy over-the-counter aisle and pump yourself full of cold medicine to make it through the workweek. Who has the time to go to a doctor?

You're not alone. According to to the U.S. Census, 47 million Americans were without health insurance in 2006. That's almost one-sixth of the entire population.

But you should also think about the millions of Americans who had to claim bankruptcy that year because they were just as sure as you are that big medical bills wouldn't happen to them.

Let’s Talk About How Much It Could Cost You to not Need Health Insurance

What happens if your appendix suddenly decides it wants to pop? What if you slip and fall on a banana peel, or some ice, or a curb, and bust a kneecap? What if that heartburn turns out to be a gall bladder full of stones?

Hey, it happens. Yes, it even happens to the young, healthy and so-called "invincible" ones--like you. And these are things that can cost you big bucks in medical bills.

Here are a few examples of the cost of being uninsured:
A typical 3-day hospital stay - $27,984
A burst appendix - $48,151
Knee surgery and aftercare - $48,302

Source: Blue Cross

Health Insurance for the Healthy

If you're not going to the doctor for regular check ups and you aren't currently being treated for any chronic conditions, a high deductible health insurance plan is a great way to be covered for the big stuff, without a big premium.

The way it works is you choose a large out-of-pocket amount that you would pay before the insurance kicks in. This is called a deductible. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium.

If you got really sick or were injured and required surgery, you would at least have SOME coverage protecting you from skyrocketing hospital bills.

Don’t Overpay for Health Insurance

Rates for health plans can vary greatly from company to company, even for the same coverage! Some insurance advice is getting a good high deductible health insurance plan and shopping around for quotes.

• Go to a large, trusted, unbiased quote site like insurancerates.com and compare plans.
• Be sure you're looking beyond the monthly premium.
• Pay attention to your "coinsurance." This is the percentage of the bill you might still be responsible for even AFTER you've met your deductible.

Don't be fooled by a really cheap monthly premium. The cheapest plans have the highest deductible and the largest coinsurance percentage; the more expensive plans have lower deductibles and lower coinsurance percentages. Know what your bottom line is going to be before you decide.

The bottom line is you need health insurance and your goal is to shop around for the best deal in between.