Many families are lucky enough to have employer sponsored health insurance. That doesn't mean you won't pay a lot out of pocket, but at least you know what to expect. Your co-pays and deductibles are pre-set, so you can plan ahead at the beginning of the year and know what you need to budget each month to cover your estimated medical expenses. Unfortunately life isn't always that simple. Neither one of us has had consistent health insurance coverage for the majority of our adult life, so we know where you're coming from.
First look and see if you can buy private insurance. There are a lot of reasonably priced options for individual coverage that can be found and compared online in a matter of minutes. Let's assume though that you've explored all options and are still without health insurance, how do you get the best care for your cash dollars?
Shop around.
Because medical care is often bought for a preset co-pay, it is easy to forget that it is a something with a real cost, and that cost is very flexible. Not all doctors charge the same price for similar visits. Call ahead and ask if they offer a cash discount. Some do, some don't, so you have to ask. Be smart about the services you use. If possible go to an urgent care clinic and avoid the emergency room. Also, pharmacies can offer the same prescription for very different prices too. You could pay double at Walgreens for the same prescription from Walmart.
Look for Freebies.
A lot of basic care like immunizations and sports physicals are offered for free. Check with your local health offices in your community to find out what is offered. Your children's school may send home fliers mentioning upcoming health events like free vision or hearing screenings. Keep an eye on local ads. Many dentists will offer a free (or very reduced-priced) cleaning and check up in hopes that you'll become a customer long term.
Talk to your doctor.
This is the most important of all. Tell your health care provider what your situation is. Often they will be more than willing to help you get the care you need. If they know you are paying out of pocket, they will be a lot less likely to order unnecessary tests or suggest a prescription unless they are confident it is needed. If they do write you a prescription, ask for free samples. Doctors get loads of free samples from drug salesmen. When your samples run out, go back and ask for more. The worst they will say is "no." Most illnesses have many types of treatments. If your insurance is paying for it, your doctor may just make the decision for you based on what your insurance will cover. But if you are paying for it yourself, your doctor will give you various options (with various prices) and you can choose for yourself how you'd like to treat it.
Ask for help.
Your family's health is important, so don't let cost stand in the way of getting the help you need. Don't stay away from the doctor's office just because you don't think you can afford it. Go and get the help you need. If a medical bill is hanging over your head that you can not pay, call the provider and ask for options. They can set up payment plans, reduce fees, or even wipe out your debt completely. Hospitals and doctors routinely forgive medical bills. So if you are truly unable to pay, don't be afraid to ask for help. In the end, the worst thing that will happen is debt, which can be negotiated and paid over time (trust us we know!).
So do your best to get the most care for your dollar, but don't let the stress of money (or lack of it) get in the way of your safety and health.
Marcia and Kate
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