Injuries from accidents, appendicitis, or a serious bacterial infection like meningitis are examples of acute illnesses. Many people think of themselves as temporarily healthy and rely on health care plans to cover unexpected emergency care. Statistics show that some people who are uninsured will put off seeking health care until the health problem becomes an emergency situation - putting strain on the patient's physical health as well as on the resources of the emergency care facility. Chronic Illness Chronic, from the Greek word for time, chronos , refers to care for a condition that will last a long while or indefinitely. Kinds of chronic problems requiring ongoing medical attention or therapy include asthma, congestive heart failure, cancer, diabetes, or cerebral palsy.
Some chronic illnesses are congenital, while others strike later in life.
While most chronic patients can not be cured, they may live long and productive lives, depending upon the extent of their physical impairment. A stroke victim has suffered from an acute medical emergency but, depending upon the severity of the stroke and magnitude of damage that results, may also become a chronic patient. Uninsured Studies show that people with no insurance visit the doctor less, do not get the preventative care they need, do not get the medicines they need, and have a much greater risk of suffering conditions that could be preventable. One study found that the uninsured are twice as likely as those with private insurance to be hospitalized for diabetes, hypertension and immunizable conditions-all health problems easily treated with regular visits to a primary care physician. Insured Patient Insured patients are covered by a health plan or indemnity insurer for a portion of their health care costs.