Individuals without health insurance often end up using which type of service when they need care?

Individuals without health insurance commonly turn to hospital emergency rooms when they need care. This pattern arises due to the immediate access that emergency departments provide; they are required by law to treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay. For uninsured individuals facing urgent health issues, the emergency room becomes a primary source for seeking care, even for non-emergency situations, as they may feel they have no other options available.

In contrast, alternatives such as primary care providers and public health clinics generally require either insurance or out-of-pocket payment, which may be prohibitive for those lacking coverage. Home health services, while beneficial for certain groups, are typically not accessed without prior authorization or referrals that are more common among insured populations. Thus, the reliance on emergency rooms illustrates a significant gap in healthcare access for uninsured individuals, highlighting broader systemic issues within the healthcare system.