Adapted from an article that originally appeared on www.HealthCareCoach.com
You've lost a job and suddenly find yourself without health insurance. What do you do if you or a family member needs medical care? Here are some tips for getting the care you need - and avoiding high medical bills:
Find out if you're eligible for public insurance. Government provided insurance is typically based on family income and is usually available to certain groups such as children, the elderly and those with disabilities. For more details on whether your family could be eligible for a public insurance program click here.
Avoid hospital emergency rooms unless you are having a real emergency since they typically offer the most expensive care. However, if you are experiencing a potentially life-threatening or other very serious medical condition, an emergency department cannot refuse to provide treatment just because you have no insurance. To learn more about your right to emergency treatment, see the HealthCareCoach.com article: Must a Hospital Attend to My Medical Emergency?
Visit a community health clinic or center. There are health centers in every state and in over 3,500 communities. While eligibility rules vary, these clinics were created to provide high quality, cost-effective care, even if you're not able to pay. Many have sliding scale fees. To find a health clinic near you, look in the yellow pages under "health clinic" or call your local government's public health department. You can also visit the federal government's Health Resources Services Administration site to locate a clinic in your community.
Most states also have free clinics where volunteer health care providers offer health services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured people. Each clinic is unique and may only serve a certain segment of the population, such as people with HIV/AIDS. The National Association of Free Clinics may be able to help you find a clinic in your community. For California residents, the California Primary Care Association is a good resource.