Lost Your Health Insurance?

How to Cope With Illness and Medical Expenses in a Recession

Feb 28, 2009 Kathy Quan

What happens in such an adverse economy when the flu or other illness occurs? Where can a person get inexpensive medical care without insurance?

First of all don’t count out the family practitioner(s) just because health insurance was lost along with a job. Many practitioners are more than happy and willing to offer a reduced cash fee for their services. Or they may have a list of practitioners in the area who can offer this.

The fact that the practitioner won’t to have to pay to have an account managed by a medical insurance biller, or accept reduced fees from insurance companies, saves some significant money which can be passed on to patients. Long term relationships with a practitioner can often count for some assistance through hard times as well. Some may be willing to accept monthly payments as well. It cannot hurt to ask.

The ER is for Emergencies

Often the first instinct is to go to a hospital emergency room. For at least two reasons this is not a good idea. For one, emergency rooms should only be used for actual emergencies. Nurses and physicians staffing these centers have to triage patients to ensure that those with the most urgent care are seen and treated first which can mean spending hours waiting in a crowded room to be seen. Therefore, patients and family members or caregivers are exposed to a wide variety of germs and illnesses.

Second, emergency room costs can be staggering (often $250 or more) as compared to urgent care facilities and even private practice physicians who don’t offer a cash pay reduced fee. The only advantage is that the hospital may allow for monthly payments, but the overall cost is significantly more.

Try Urgent Care

Urgent care facilities are better prepared to see patients with illness and minor injuries. Patients suffering heart attacks, strokes and major injury will be diverted to the ER. Their hours are more restricted, but this should not be a reason to go to an ER instead. Their costs are lower and they may also allow for a payment schedule.

Minute Clinics are Popular With or Without Health Insurance

Minute Clinics have been popping up all over the U.S. in a number of pharmacies and retail outlets such as CVS, Walgreens, and WalMart and offer care by a physician or a nurse practitioner for fees ranging typically from $50 to $100 depending upon the need. They also offer vaccines and health testing services at fees much lower than hospitals.

County Medical Services Can Help When Health Insurance is Gone

Most larger cities have free clinics, but walk-in services may be restricted to one or two days or nights per week. Call first. County hospitals have health clinics available for a variety of specialty and various patient needs. Make a call to the local county hospital or health department and ask about the available services. Keep this information for future reference.

What About Medications for Chronic Illness When You Have No Health Insurance?

Medications for chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer can be outrageously expensive. Pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs for many of these drugs which cover all or most of the cost of a specific medication. Financial information must be provided. Search for the manufacturer’s website online for specific information about patient assistance programs.

Retail pharmacies such as Target and Walmart offer a huge formulary of medications for $4 for a one month supply and $10 for a three month supply. Ask about specifics and see if changes can be made to fit the patient’s needs before abandoning medications all together due to economic issues.

The copyright of the article Lost Your Health Insurance? in Health Field is owned by Kathy Quan . Permission to republish Lost Your Health Insurance? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Emergency Room