Actually, health insurance is an important factor. If you catch pneumonia or the flu, you're looking at getting knocked out for 2 months (pneumonia resulting from a "cold" that was not properly handled), 2 weeks (flu) without medical intervention. Personally, I'd rather take some meds and be back on my feet in 3-5 days than not be able to afford to see a doc or take some meds....putting my startup behind which would kill me more than an illness. Without insurance you're looking at least $110 for per doctor visit and about $90 bucks and up depending on what meds you need (PER prescription). Or let's say you broke your arm or leg because you tripped on your shoe laces while walking down the stairs of the Y Combinator building. Without insurance you're looking at about $2500 and up to get it fixed and that doesn't include the cost of seeing a doctor added into it.
Paying $120 bucks a month to cover potential injuries or finding affordable medical insurance and covering yourself for potential injuries is a definitely an important factor not only for yourself, your company, but also to prevent you from getting your co-founders sick.
It is true that if you're younger you are less likely to get sick. However, if you are under a substantial amount of stress, your immune defense will drop and your chances of getting sick increases. That's why you see a lot of people get sick during mid terms and exams.
So for all of you who are in a startup, I suggest you get at least 1000-2000mg of Vitamin C. Clinical trials have shown that taking 1000-2000mg (usually an 8oz glass of OJ, depending on type of OJ) of Vitamin C a day provides prophylactic use (prevents the occurrence) against acute stress induced illnesses.
For doctor office visits - they make sure you can pay before you see him. If you list that you do not have insurance, the
nurse or secretary to will tell you how much it will be without insurance to verify that you can pay the cost.
If you go to a "doctor's office" he has the right to deny you services if you can't pay (only for non-emergency incidences). However, if you are in an extreme emergency such as a heart attack or you're dying, he cannot refuse you his services due to the hippocratic oath.
However, doctors in hospitals are different. If you go to the ER (hospital related) the hospital doctor is REQUIRED to see you by US law...without verification of ability to pay. For doctors in hospitals, this is a big problem because we cater to a lot of homeless patients who walk out and do not pay...and of course one can't do anything about it since they're homeless.
Anywhoo, if you get treated in a HOSPITAL, always request an ITEMIZED list of charges. Anything that says "misc fees" you need to be weary off. Check for overcharges and outrageous charges. For instance, do you want to pay $170 for a "mucous recovery system" (BOX OF KLEENEX). Sometimes it's a "mistake" but sometimes there are unethical hospitals. Save yourself and your startup some money.
