Being a public internet website, we do get asked about affording medical services like doctors, hospitals, tests, and prescriptions from time to time. This is a big issue in the US. Almost 50 million Americans lack coverage, and probably many more do not really have great coverage. Their are many reasons for this. Some are unemployment, employment without group health, self employment, etc. Some people cannot afford to buy individual health insurance. Others could afford it, but cannot qualify. Some others just do not understand the need for health insurance, or they do not understad it until it is too late.

However, you do have some alternatives. The article we printed below should get you started to find help affording health care! It covers all sorts of medical care from affording prescriptions to finding a low cost clinic in your area.

What to Do If You Can’t Afford Health Insurance

By Insurance Articles

Do You Lack Health Insurance?

If you are an American, and you lack health insurance, you are not alone. In late 2009, it was estimated that almost 46 million people in the US do not have a health plan. Recent high unemployment figures have not made this figure any lower.

Some of these people lost their group health plans when they lost their job. Others are self employed or work for a company that does not offer group health. There are alternative private health plans on the market, but many people just cannot afford them, or they cannot get accepted by one. While politicians haggle over the issues, sick people are having trouble getting treatment.

Are You Sick or Healthy?

If you are very healthy, or if you already have a health issue, you should seek coverage. It will be, of course, a lot easier to find affordable private health insurance if you are healthy. This way you can be prepared in case you do get sick or get hurt in an accident. Even a simple trip to an emergency room for a broken bone can cost thousands of dollars.

If you have already are hurt or ill, it will be tough to get it covered by private plans now. But even people who are already sick should be able to find some help. I hope to present some options for you.

COBRA

Under federal law, some companies must extend their group medical plan to terminated employees. This can be a good option for those who are between jobs. The only issue with it is the cost. Instead of just paying your employee contribution, now you will probably also have to pay the whole premium amount. Many ex-employees are very surprised when they learn how much this is.

Individual Health Insurance

If you lack major medical, and you are fairly healthy, you may find that a private medical plan is pretty affordable. It is actually a misconception that group benefits are always cheaper than individual plans. Because insurers can underwrite each applicant, they may actually be able to offer lower rates for healthier people.

If you have an option to extend your group benefits (i.e. COBRA) or buy private coverage, just make sure the new plan will accept you, and that it will cover services you need. It is tough, for instance, to get individual plans that cover normal maternity. But if you are accepted, which most people in reasonably good health should be, and the plan satisfies your needs, you may be vary happy with carrying your own health plan.

State Risk Pools

Every US state has some sort of health plan for people who have a pre-existing health problem that gets them declined for other coverage. In some states, these plans can be very expensive though. This is a good option if you do have income or savings, but just do not have health insurance.

Paying For Prescriptions

If you cannot afford your prescription medicine, consult the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARX). Their website is PPARX.org. This organization offers a point of access to hundreds of private and public assistance programs. Their website says they have helped millions of Americans get help, and they may be able to help you.

Low Cost Health Clinics

You can find some lower cost health clinics. Many offer health services on a sliding scale. The PPARX website we mentioned about also has a handy search feature. You can enter your zip code and see if you can find a nearby locations. I entered my own zip code for a test, and I was surprised to see that there were several of these clinics within a short drive of my house. I had not been aware that there were any before.

Financial Aid For Health Problems

If you have a serious illness, you may be able to get support from a financial assistance program. These are usually non-profits, and sometimes they are called co-pay programs. Again, PPARX has information on many of these organizations.

County Health Systems

Try searching for a county or public health system in your own area. They should provide reduced fee services for patients. You will probably be locked into using their hospitals, doctors, etc., but you should have access to care.

Public Health Insurance Programs

If you have a very low income, and few assets, you may qualify for Medicaid. This is the federal and state program to insure the poor. Moderate income families should look at the Childrens Health Insurance (CHIPS) plan for their state. Income guidelines to cover kids are higher than those for adults, and these plans may also cover pregnant women.

What To Do If You Have No Health Insurance

I would tell anybody to figure out how they can obtain health insurance as quickly as possible. For instance, you should try to apply for a private policy when you are healthy! You are probably not going to find coverage from a private company after you are already sick or hurt. If you do find a plan that accepts you, it will probably be much more expensive That is how insurance works.

It is always better to plan ahead. Of course, this is not always possible.. If you have a current health issue, and no health plan, you should look at some of the alternatives we listed.

Do you need health insurance?

We would like to help. Here are some options if you have no health insurance

You can also find some alternatives to COBRA health here.

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It is hard to know the best way to list top health insurance companies so consumers can make an easy comparison. So many factors might be considered like revenues, assets, lack of consumer complaints, or positive feedback. However, our visitors really gave us good feed back for our top ranked life insurance companies list, so we though this would make a great post!

US News Honor Role of State or Local Health Insurance Plans

US News & World report published a health insurance honor role in 2007, and that looks like a good place to start. Now keep in mind, not all of these health insurers will be available to everybody. Some may have local plans, only do business in certain states, or be available to certain types of applicants – i.e. group or individual health insurance. Continue on for advice of finding the best health insurance quotes in your own area.

The US News Medical Insurance Honor Roll recognizes the very best of the hundreds of commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid Plans that were reviewd by the 2007 magazine, and also published online. reviewed for this year’s U.S. News health plan rankings. Plans we re scored by 0 – 100 on a variety of factors by managed care’s major accrediting and standards-setting body.

NOTE: Health Insurance Plans Are Local – These May Not Be In Your State:

Honor Role of Medicare Plans – Again These Are Local Plans!

Find The Top Health Insurance Company For You and Near You!

You can see that Blue Cross of Mass. has been mentioned on both lists. But the issue you have is that Blue Cross of Mass. is not the same company with the same plans as Blue Cross of Texas or in any other state! They will have different management and plans, and all features may not be the same across state lines.

If you need to find health insurance, you need to know which companies operate in your area. States regulate most insurance, and California Health Insurance will be different than Texas Health Insurance Plans. One simple way to compare plans is to run an online health insurance quote.

Go Here: Find the best affordable health insurance plans where you live!

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Probably one of the toughest thing about running your own business is finding a small business health insurance plan. Of course, depending upon the nature of you business, you do have some options to consider.

• If you just need to cover yourself, or your family, look at some of the best individual health insurance plans to have a permanent major medical policy you will be able to keep with you. Of course, you and your family need to be healthy enough to be accepted, or you may need to look at high risk plans in your own state. You should be able to deduct the premiums from your taxes as a self employed person.
• If you have employees, you may want to consider purchasing small business group health insurance for yourself, and for your employee families. You will have the advantages of group underwriting, can get employees to contribute some of the premium, may have tax advantages, and will provide a great benefit to your company. In fact, studies have shown that group medical plans do help attract and retain quality employees.

It can be tough to compare self employed health insurance when you are just starting out. If you have been layed off from a previous employer who provided a group plan, and just now decided to strike out on your own, you may want to look at some unemployment health insurance alternatives. Of course, as a self employed person, you are not actually unemployed. But you may not be making lots of money when you begin, and you may have some of the same options.

Those options may include keeping COBRA health insurance extension benefits, buying individual health insurance, or looking into federal, state, and county medical plans.

We try to make your search for a medical plan as simple as possible.

Visit here for the best free individual health insurance quotes . Our system is fast, free, and safe, and is bound to save you time and money, all of which are very important to self employed people who need health insurance!

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