Millions of people in the U.S. do not have health insurance, and more and more are losing their insurance when they lose or change jobs. When you have limited financial resources, priorities rapidly shift to the essentials, like food and shelter. Getting medical care tend to be low on the list. Nearly every day, someone will tell me that this will be their last visit due to insurance or financial constraints.
Things you CAN do
- Unless you have a true emergency (life-threatening) condition, stay out of the emergency room. If you have a primary care problem, like a sore throat or earache, this would be the most expensive way to get treatment. Call a few urgent care facilities (aka “Doc in the Boxes”) for prices. They are certainly less-expensive than the ER.
- Check your area for free clinics, or clinics that charge a sliding scale. There are fewer and fewer of these around, but sometimes you will be lucky.
- Many counties have Public Health Departments that offer free or discounted medical services, especially immunizations.
- Many uninsured and non-working people qualify for state-run insurances like Medicaid but never bother to check their eligibility. Children, especially, will benefit from this.
- Find a good primary care provider or solo practitioner. Medical professionals who work for themselves set their own charges and have the ability to charge less or nothing at all. You will be surprised how many dedicated professionals will find a way to help you out during these tough economic times.
- Ask for samples. Although pharmaceutical samples are also becoming increasingly scarce, even a few days of medication to get you started will reduce your overall health costs.
- Ask for a generic prescription or for an alternative choice of medications known to be less expensive. Although medical providers often do not know what prescriptions cost at the various pharmacies, most will have a good idea if they are giving you an expensive one or a reasonably-priced alternative. Generics are just as good for a fraction of the cost. If your doctor wrote for a brand name, your pharmacist can substitute a generic equivalent in most instances.
- Don’t be shy about shopping around for a better price on your prescriptions. Call the pharmacy, read your prescription to them (if the writing is legible!), and ask how much it will be. Many large, chain pharmacies have huge medication discounts for certain commonly-used prescriptions. A prescription that costs $60 in one pharmacy may only be $18 at another.
- Ask for a discount. A $75 office visit may only be reimbursed by insurance companies for a fraction of that cost. So, why should you pay more simply because you do not have health insurance? Even fees vary among private medical practitioners, so call around.
- Be creative in your available resources. I am often surprised that people can afford to buy beer or cigarettes, but they don’t seem to have money left for their own medical care. A one pack per day person would save over $150 in a month – a savings less-costly than of an average office visit.
- If you have a credit card, most medical offices will charge your visit to the card, giving you up to a month to come up with the cash.
- If feels good when you help someone, so if you are in serious need, it is okay to ask family or friends to help you out. Remember, you are asking for help to get medical care, not to buy a new toy. By helping you, they will feel better.
- If you are a member of a church or synagogue, many will help the less-fortunate with reasonable, but unexpected medical costs. It doesn’t hurt to ask for help. I have seen local churches buy glasses for children, or provide medical appliances for the elderly. Don’t forget to thank others who help you, including God.
- Practice medical self-care. The first-step in staying healthy is taking care of your self and practice healthy habits. Don’t smoke. Don’t take recreational drugs. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear seat belts. Exercise and maintain a healthy weight. These things do not cost a dime.
- If you have lost your job and are looking for a new one, try and find employment that will offer health benefits for you and your family.
Credit: http://blogs.webmd.com/all-ears/2009/02/when-you-dont-have-health-insurance-or.html
