Tips and Tricks for Accessing Free and Low-Cost Healthcare

When you need medical care, limited financial resources can raise concerns about your budget and health. However, there are options if you are uninsured or lack insurance. In addition to insurance coverage by the government, low-cost and free healthcare is available for children, seniors, including adults.

However, you can get low costs on prescription medications by downloading prescription discount cards.

How to get medical treatment without insurance

All types of clinics and hospitals will accept patients without insurance. Few offer financial assistance programs or uninsured patient discounts. Certain health centers help care for people who lack insurance and work with them regarding the payment. The providers include:

·       Safety-net clinics and hospitals are comprehensive health centers called county hospitals, essential, or public hospitals. These are designed to provide services to all people, including those who lack health insurance coverage.

·       Federally qualified health centers (FQHC) are community health facilities funded by the federal government to provide medical care in underserved areas. These centers are also known as community health centers. These charge patients based on their ability to pay.

·       Charitable and free clinics for the ‘medically underserved’ patients like those without access to insurance. Usually, there is no charge for care, and medications are provided at no cost.

Why do the uninsured pay the highest prices?

People who do not have medical insurance usually do not have a financially responsible party that advocates for the low cost of services. As a result, people without insurance are sometimes asked to pay the full medical bills at the service time.

How to get medical bills forgiven?

Debt forgiveness, also known as debt cancellation, happens when the creditor stops to pursue collection. Forgiveness usually doesn’t affect your credit score. However, if the forgiven debt is reported to the IRS, the amount could be taxed as income.

Conclusion

Uninsured people are likely to face a double whammy of a medical expense. High prices charged for services and more due out of pocket. Low-cost and accessing free healthcare at a federally qualified health center can help you avoid both situations.

Remember to always check the RX discount card for prescription coupons before checking out at the pharmacy.