Even if you are uninsured, you may have a way into a doctor's office or clinic.
As Families USA notes, uninsured Americans are more likely than the insured to do without or delay treatment, including preventive care, and die untimely deaths. If you lack health insurance, you may already be aware of these facts, but not know where to find free or affordable health care. Pursue multiple alternatives at once to boost your odds of success.
Negotiating With Your Doctor
If you already have a physician, or can get in to see one, negotiate discount or sliding-scale fees. ABC News states that only 12 percent of patients pursue this alternative, but 61 percent of those who try it succeed.
Publicly Funded Health Plans
You may qualify for a publicly-funded health insurance plan like Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program or the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. HealthCare.gov can help you explore these options and keep you informed about the effects of the Affordable Care Act, the health reform bill, on your coverage.
Community Health Centers
Community health centers are vital sources of preventive and primary health care, and sometimes prescription drugs, dentistry, and mental health services, for uninsured and low-income Americans. The National Association of Community Health Centers can direct you to one in your area.
Free and Charitable Clinics
According to the National Association for Free and Charitable Clinics, nonprofit health agencies serve uninsured people who do not qualify to receive medical, dental, mental health, vision and pharmaceutical care through any other source. NAFC publishes an online directory of its member facilities.
Condition-Specific Help
An organization that advocates for people with your specific condition or disease-for example, the American Pregnancy Association or Mental Health America-might assist you with finding free or affordable care. For family planning services, as well as other preventive reproductive health care like pelvic and breast exams and HIV education and testing, try a clinic affiliated with the national Title X program.
Convenient Care and Urgent Care Clinics
Convenient care and urgent care clinics treat walk-in patients, often with shorter wait times and at less cost than a standard doctor's office or emergency room. Located in large retail stores, convenient care clinics offer preventive medicine, such as flu vaccinations, and treatment of minor illnesses. Urgent care centers treat medical concerns that are pressing, but not life-threatening.
Emergency Room
Familiarize yourself with the American College of Emergency Physicians' list of symptoms that indicate a need to visit an emergency room, so you can use it wisely. According to Families USA, even if you are uninsured, you have certain legal rights to emergency room care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.
Discount Health Care Cards
For a monthly or annual fee, or sometimes none at all, a discount health care card - not to be confused with insurance - offers reduced-cost access to a network of participating physicians. Some cards apply to prescription drugs, dental care or vision care. The Consumer Health Alliance and National Association of Insurance Commissioners can help you distinguish legitimate cards from scams.
Tags: National Association, care clinics, Charitable Clinics, Community Health, Community Health Centers