Paying For Health Care When You're Uninsured

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• QAre there resources for limited income patients with no coverage?

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  A Dr. Vincent T DeVita Jr , Oncology, answered

  The Together Rx Access Card was created to help people who do not have prescription drug coverage. You can use the card to save on certain brand-name prescription drugs, some generic drugs, and other prescription products. The Together Rx Access Card is not part of Medicare or Medicare Part D. It is not medical insurance, but a special discount card that costs you nothing.
  To get a card, all of the following must be true for you:

  • You are not eligible for Medicare
  • You have no prescription drug coverage (public or private)
  • Your household income is equal to or less than $45,000 for a single person, $60,000 for a family of 2, $75,000 for a family of 3, $90,000 for a family of 4, and $105,000 for a family of 5 (income limits may be higher in Alaska and Hawaii)
  • You are a legal United States resident

  The Web site and telephone assistance are in English and Spanish.
  Together Rx Access Card
  Web site: www.together-rxaccess.com
  Toll-free number: 1-800-444-4106 Other drug discount cards
  There are several other companies and foundations that offer drug discount cards. The cards offer the user discounts on certain brand name prescription drugs. Some offer discounts on a few generic drugs as well. There are different limits and requirements on who can get a card. The cards also discount different drugs. Contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance or NeedyMeds to find other drug discount cards. One or more of them may be helpful to you, depending on which prescription drugs you take.
  
  These cards are not insurance, and they are not part of Medicare Part D. They offer limited discounts on certain drugs, which can help some people.
  Choosing a drug discount card
  Look at all the costs of the card. Some cards say they are free, but charge prescription shipping and handling fees that can cost you more than the discount. Some discount cards have yearly fees up to $100 or more. And some companies that say they offer free drugs actually charge a processing fee for each prescription. These costs can add up quickly. Find out about shipping fees, annual fees, and processing fees before you sign up for a card. If you're trying to save money, it's probably best not to get a card that wants money from you.
  
  If you find a free card, compare the cost of the medicines that you actually take. Find out if the medicines you take are discounted. If you have more than one card, your pharmacist can often tell you the cheapest way to get your medicine. 
• QWhat if I need cancer treatment but I don't have health insurance?

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  A PearlPoint Cancer Support answered

  A cancer diagnosis can cause financial concerns. If you don’t have health insurance, the following websites and services may be able to assist you in finding and paying for cancer treatment:

  • State Medicaid: www.cms.gov
  • Medicare: www.medicare.gov and www.cms.gov
  • Affordable Care Act: www.healthcare.gov/law/
  • Hill Burton: http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/
  • Your local health department and local free clinics: http://freeclinics.us/clinics/search

  Many hospitals have options for financial assistance if you don't have health insurance. Ask if there is someone you can talk to about your options for cancer treatment.
• QWhat can I do if my child with diabetes doesn't have health insurance?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  If you have health insurance coverage, you should first check and see if your child can qualify as a dependent on your plan or policy.
  
  Some states have specific definitions of who qualifies as a dependent under a health insurance policy. For example, sometimes, states have specific rules defining the dependent status of stepchildren, disabled children, grandchildren, or domestic partners. Consult your state insurance regulator. If no state law defines dependent, you will have to consult the terms of your insurance policy.
  
  Please note that neither employer-sponsored health insurance plans nor individual health insurance policies are required to offer dependent coverage to your spouse, children or domestic partner.
  
  If you are unable to obtain dependent coverage for your child, check with your state's Department of Insurance. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have a children's health insurance program for low-income individuals called State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
  
  Many states also have a high-risk pool that your child may be eligible for if he or she cannot qualify for other health insurance options, including your state's children's health insurance program because of their health status.
• QWhere can a person get help if they have no health insurance?

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  A Joane Goodroe , Nursing, answered

  There are public hospitals who receive government funds to help provide care for those who cannot afford to pay for services. To find information, call your local government office and request assistance. 

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• QHow should I manage my healthcare if I don't have insurance?

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  A Joane Goodroe , Nursing, answered

  We only have control over some factors that affect our health. You can lead a very healthy life (weight control, regular exercise, etc...) and still develop health problems. Many people do everything "right" and then may develop a problem with their health or become a victim of an accident. This is why the health care bill may require everyone to buy health insurance. It is best to acquire health insurance. You can also check to see if you qualify for a government program like Medicaid.  

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• QIs there a way to get dentures with no dental insurance?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  The short answer to the question of dentures with no dental insurance is: maybe. The longer answer is: you may be able to get dentures if you are willing to look at several different options.

  • Dental schools sometimes offer low-cost dental care by having a dental student do the work under the supervision of a licensed (and experienced) dentist. This is the dental version of going to a cosmetology school for a haircut: if you are willing to be “practiced” on, you can get your haircut, or your dental care, for less money.
  • The Bureau of Primary Health Care, part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, helps finance community health centers that offer free (or low-cost) medical and dental care. So your dentures may be provided at one of these health centers.
  • United Way is a program that may be able to link you to local free or low-cost dental services. Contact the United Way for more details; if you have Internet access, check out their web site for more information.
  • Finally, don’t forget to look into the options of state- or federally-funded health insurance like Medicaid. For more information, contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• QHow can I have mastoiditis surgery if I do not have insurance?

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  A Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered

  Uninsured patients may certainly undergo any functional surgery if medically necessary at the county hospital. Each major city will have county hospitals that are equipped for uninsured patients for emergency and subacute care. Often these facilities will also have a training or residency program associated with them and your care may include medical students, and residency physician. The care will be under the supervision of an attending physician or surgeon.
• QIf I do not have medical insurance, what problems can I face?

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  A Boston Women's Health Book Collective , Administration, answered

  People who do not have medical insurance often face additional challenges in getting the information they need to make the right health care decisions. In the absence of a family doctor or steady health care provider, they need to make even greater efforts to keep track of their health histories, previous tests and screenings, and past treatments. They also need to keep track of the bills sent to them: Double-billing or billing for services that they were told they would not have to pay for is quite common.

  People who do not have medical insurance may be charged more for medical services than people who do. This is because insurance companies negotiate &quotbulk" rates with hospitals, labs, and other facilities. It is perfectly appropriate for you to ask the billing department about the rate paid by a large insurer in your area for your treatment. You can then send a letter to the head of the billing department offering to pay that rate. Many medical facilities are willing to negotiate a lower rate if that means that they will receive at least some of the money they are owed. Offering to pay a lower amount does not always lead to an agreement, but it does work surprisingly often. It is also worth speaking to someone in the billing department who has experience in working with uninsured patients. There are times when you can even arrange to pay a small amount of your bill each month.

• QHow can I have a doctor if I don't have insurance?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Even if you're one of 50 million Americans without health insurance, it's important to have a doctor. There are also free clinics and community health plans. If you don't have enough money to afford a doctor, you may qualify for Medicaid. But … I don't want to let people off the hook either. Half the people in America who don't have health insurance have some money. They just make the economic decision to not buy it because it's so expensive.
  
  It's important not to sacrifice your health to save money. You can get access to a physician. Go to their office. Talk to them. They'll work something out with you. We're trained to heal. Give us a chance.

• QHow can I pay for dentist visits?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  It is important to talk about treatment costs with your dental practice before the procedure. Many practices offer payment plans and can help you use your dental benefits plan effectively. Most dentists accept credit cards, or can direct you to an outside health care financing company to help you pay for your treatment. In the end, however, the patient is fully responsible for payment and the correct use of dental benefit plans. Ask your benefits provider whether cosmetic treatments are covered.

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