There are over 50 million people in the US without health insurance. This may not seem like a big deal, at least until a medical problem occurs. Without health insurance, one accident can deplete a person’s savings and even drive them to bankruptcy; in fact, over half of all bankruptcies in the United States are filed as the result of a major medical procedure. Without insurance, something as small as a visit to the doctor could be hundreds of dollars. A simple X-ray or exam at the dentist could run over $200.
There are many reasons why people are uninsured. With the rising cost of premiums, some people feel they cannot afford the monthly payments for insurance. Others may be unemployed, so there is no employer to offer insurance. Other reasons include part-time work (employers usually require an employee to work full time in order to collect benefits), between jobs, or recent graduate from college.
What Are My Options?
If you are uninsured, there are a number of options for you to be covered. First of all, if your employer offers you insurance, it’s not a bad idea to go ahead and take it. Even though it is expensive, it’s probably cheaper than any individual plan you may buy on your own. In addition, even expensive insurance is less expensive than a trip to the hospital or an emergency dental procedure when you’re uninsured.
Individual Coverage Plans
These are insurance plans that are not a group plan that is sold through an employer. There are many of these plans available, and they can be researched and compared on the internet. The plans vary greatly in regards to monthly premiums and deductibles. In general, the ones with the lowest monthly payments have higher deductibles, or out of pocket costs. This is not a bad option if you rarely get sick or don’t anticipate needing insurance. However, higher monthly premiums usually result in much lower deductibles, so you end up paying less out of pocket. Usually, though, they balance out.
Different plans also offer different benefits. For example, some of the cheaper policies don’t cover prescriptions or mental health. Do your research to determine what your needs are decide from there what plan fits you best.
If you are older or have a pre-existing condition, you should expect to pay more. Some pre-existing conditions, including certain cancers or HIV, almost immediately disqualify a person from being admitted to a health plan. Those who are admitted will be paying more than, say, a healthy 20-year-old.
Because insurance fraud is live and well, it’s important to check the credentials of a company before you purchase an individual plan from them.
Medicaid
Depending on your income status, you may or may not qualify for Medicaid, which is a state and federally funded program for those who cannot afford medical care. Visit or call your local Medicaid office to see if you are eligible for this type of coverage.
What to do When You’ve Already Gotten the Bill
If you received care while uninsured, you still have options.
Ask about uninsured discounts. Many doctor and dentist offices give discounts to patients who are uninsured. This could be a substantial amount, so ask to see if they will discount your services on account of being uninsured.
Talk to the financial services department. Most doctor’s offices will let you set up a payment plan. This could include anything from cutting your bill in to two parts and allowing you to pay half now and half later, or it could be more detailed, such as an arrangement that allows you to pay $50 a month until the balance is paid.