Where Can People With No Health Insurance Go?
Health insurance is the common type of insurance coverage that provides funds when you develop certain medical problems and need treatment. There are many different types of medical insurance; premiums, along with coverage limits, vary widely. However, there are several traditional places where you can get health insurance: from your employer, purchased directly from health insurance companies, and from the government. Without these sources, you can easily be stuck without health insurance until the new health care reform laws phase in by 2014, and you may be wondering what to do.
Benefits
The primary benefit to not having health insurance is the absence of premiums, which you may not be able to afford -- a key reason why there are millions of people in America without health insurance today. The absence of health insurance premiums allows you to focus on paying off existing loans and reaching a more stable position financially. The absence of health insurance also opens up negotiation options if you go to hospitals. When you are admitted without health insurance, you can explain the reasons to hospitals (low income, lost job), which makes hospitals more likely to work with you, especially if their policies encourage such actions.
Considerations
Not having health insurance can also be dangerous and costly. Most hospitals have strict rules regarding those who do not have any health insurance. They typically require all uninsured patients to wait in the emergency room where it may take some time to receive care. Private hospitals may refuse to treat you for nonemergency conditions if you do not have insurance.
Programs
If you do not have any health insurance, you may qualify for a variety of government programs. There are federal programs designed to cover those who have lost their health insurance. These are typically supplemented by programs offered by states as well for those who may not qualify for federal support. Many clinics have advocacy centers that can help you navigate application for this type funding.
Public Clinics
Public clinics are specifically designed to treat you if you do not have health insurance. They either have low fees or offer specific services free of charge. These clinics are often busy and may offer lower quality than larger institutions, but are sometimes the only choice for people without insurance. These clinics are often funded or managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration, or by states, as in a local county health department, and even by nonprofit organizations. They offer some basic services like checkups, either free of charge or on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Many also offer free or affordable medications, birth control, and treatment options for basic illnesses. Some also work to link patients with available government programs.
Individual
If you have lost your health insurance but still have some extra income, you can choose to buy individual health insurance. This health insurance is bought straight from the insurance company and applies only to you as an individual. You can customize your own insurance for specific coverage and lower rates.
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