Surviving Without Health Insurance - 5 Tips To Getting Low-Cost Or Free Medical Care

 If you're like most people who are surviving without health insurance, you wait and ignore serious warning signs your body gives you, not knowing where to turn for help. There is help for you and it's easier and faster than you think. Don't wait and put it off. Get the medical attention you need as soon as possible. Your life may depend upon it.

 

The following five tips will help you get the medical attention that you need but it's up to you to follow through with all the steps provided below.

 

1. Contact your Primary Care Physician, even if you haven't seen him or her in years. Speak with him directly and explain your situation, asking if he/she would see you without health insurance, even for a one-time visit. If it's agreed, ask him/her to write a prescription for any blood work necessary, even a basic CBC (Complete Blood Count) will help. This will serve as baseline for any future medical testing. Ask for free samples of any medications your doctor prescribes and if it's something you will be taking long-term, ask for a form for free medicine from the drug company. Most pharmaceutical companies will send you free medicine in the mail, either month-to-month or for several months at a time.

 

2. Call different pharmacies in your area. Most have a list of medications that are very low-cost. These are 'off patent" and are available in generic form. Do your research. You'll be surprised to find quite a difference in the cost of the same medication at different pharmacies.

 

3. Armed with your prescriptions, go to your local Hospital Emergency Room and inquire about Free Care. Ask to be seen. You cannot be refused if you don't have health insurance. You may be seen by a Financial Counselor while you wait. Explain your situation and if not approved for Free Care, you may be approved for Financial Aid.

 

4. When you're being seen, explain your situation to the nurse and attending physician. He/she can include your doctor's prescription for blood work along with whatever else is being ordered. Request a copy of the results be sent to your Primary Care physician. This way, both your doctor and the hospital will have the baseline as something to compare and will help them give you the proper medical treatment.

 

5. Ask if they know of any mental health agencies that offer free care if you need it. Don't be shy.

 

Most hospitals have low-cost clinics you can be seen at for follow-up care if you don't have a Primary Care doctor and your treatment would fall under whatever agreements you make with the Financial Department. Keep your word and get them the information they need. Don't let time go by because then you may be sent to a collection agency.