How do I get health care with no insurance, but my income is well above poverty level?
366945
HOW ARE U LIVING ABOVE POVERTY LEVEL AND CAN'T AVOID TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE? U CAN TRY MEDICAID OR MEDICARE. ALSO DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE, YOU CAN CHECK WITH THE CHARITY HOSPITAL IN YOUR LOCAL AREA AND THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY HAVE INFO ABOUT THAT.
306323
If you're sick right now, go to the nearest public hospital emergency room.  Under federal law, they cannot refuse to treat you merely because you cannot pay.  Yes, you may wait a long time in line, and yes, you may recieve some uncomfortable questions regarding your ability to pay, but until we can fix the damn system, that's the way it is.  Get your problem dealt with first so it does not get any worse, and then worry about the "who's gonna pay" question.\nYour question really has two parts: you also need to know how to get preventive care.  That's where social services come in.  You can ask for a referral to the appropriate people while you're in the emergency room, in fact.  No, they won't make you go see social services before they treat your ilness or your dental problem.  Social services will help you find that doctor and dentist.  It probably won't be fully satisfactory, but dammit, any care is better than none!  And you might just join with those of us - medical personell and laypeople alike - in badgering the hell out of Congress to fix our miserable health care system!!!  Write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails - we gotta get on Congress's case and keep on it!  Yo, this old mick's been in health care for over forty years, but I/we can't fix it by ourselves.
17322
Many hospitals offer free care if you qualify. Your local hospital social services department may have an application for this. The social services department may also be able to tell you where there is a free clinic in your area. Give them a call and see what options they have to help you. If you live in a small town call a hospital in the nearest large city to you. If they don't have a program to help you, you can always go to the emergency room. You should not let these medical problems go untreated.
770636
Contact your local or state dental association and and see if there are any dentists who provide free or reduced cost care for low-income, disabled or senior patients.\n\nCall your local health department and ask about health centers that provide dental care for free or on a sliding scale.\n\nYour local United Way may also be aware of such a clinic.  In some areas, you can reach them now by dialing 2-1-1 for "non-emergency information."\n\nGo to a dental school, if there is one near you, for reduced costs.\n\nIf you are a senior citizen, call your local Area Agency on Aging or Office on Aging.  If you can not find a listing in your local phone book on the "County Government" pages (usually marked with blue borders), call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency on Aging serving you.\n\nCheck http://www.toothwoman.net to see if low-cost or free dental services are available near you.\n\nCheck http://bphc.hrsa.gov and choose "Find a Health Center" to see if there is a low-cost clinic near you.\n\nCheck http://www.nfdh.org/DDS.html to see if your state has a "Donated Dental Services" program.  D.D.S. is designed to locate dentists who will give free care to patients who are financially compromised due to medical problems.  This is a process that will take a couple of months to get your information and then arrange for someone to see you.  Not all states have D.D.S. programs.\n\nIf worse comes to worse, check out http://www.prosper.com and see if you can find a funding source.
152092
Try contacting your local medicaid office.  You could also ask if there are any financial assistance programs at the facility where you are receiving your care.  Sometimes hospitals, have state representatives that can screen you for medicaid and other programs.
401918
This is a dilemma that many hard working people find themselves in these days!! (not being able to afford proper, quality medical care  - that is)  I know that many community hospitals offer low cost medical care and quite often charge you what your income allows. To be able to qualify for these programs however, can be quite time consuming and you are often shuffled from department to department before you are even allowed to see a physician.  Isn't there some way that you can contact the physician who prescibed the Atenelol initially and explain the difficult position that you are in?  High blood pressure is nothing to take lightly as it often accompanies additional medical problems that should be attended to or monitored!  I wish you good luck and as I am writing this to you, I am shaking my head...Our medical programs neglect sooo many individuals that truly are in need!! It makes me sick (but not too sick-I can rarely afford medical attention either!).
199798
If it is truly end stage, and you cannot afford insurance, then contact your local medicade office. They may be able to help. Or even hospice.
368324
Get their own insurance.  Go to the hospitals get treated work out a payment program.  Hospitals are required to treat people even if they are indigent so us taxpayers pick up the bill anyway
819112
Call your local health department and ask them about low income/free clinics to provide you with health care. You probably need some iron from losing alot of blood but you definitely need a doctor. If they don't provide you with any help call a local hospital and ask for their social services department and talk to them about free/low income clinics/doctors. Good luck.
350680
Be upfront about not having insurance, and some hospitals will give you financial assistance or a sliding scale fee. There are also sliding scale clinics out there, so ask around for them. My husband owes his life to a hospital that was willing to offer us financial assistance, so I know how overwhelming and frightening this can be.
364494
There are many clinics that charge on a sliding scale (what you make depends on what you pay).  You should find one and see a doctor soon.  Also, if you are over 40, most states have free screening programs.
98390
WIC is your answer for free formula.  Go to your local health office.  If you have little or no income, you will be accepted.
269436
If you don't have insurance already, you are in for a rude awakening.  You'll be denied by any insurer for the pre-existing condition.  YOu'll need to check to see if your state has a 'high-risk' pool and see if you can get coverage there.  Since you usually need a denial to get in, you might as well just apply somewhere first and get the denial of coverage.\nSince you are low income you might also quality for some sort of state sponsored medical assistance or Medicaid.
821552
There are a few ways to find some good, affordable health insurance.\n\nYou could look in the yellow pages under "health insurance" and meet with an agent that specializes in health insurance. That person could give you quotes and review your options with you.\n\nYou could ask your friends and family members who they have their health insurance through and get a quote from their agent.\n\nOr, you could compare health insurance quotes online from a quote provider. That way, you could review the rates and plans without any sales pressure from an agent.\n\nHere are two leading health insurance quote providers:\n\n1) InsureMe - they give you the five best health insurance quotes from top-rated health insurers nationwide. To Request a free, no obligation quote, Go to - http://www.insureme.com/landing.aspx?Refby=613598&Type=health\n\n2) eHealthinsurance.com offers you side-by-side quote comparisons from a large network of health insurers across the country.\n\nMake sure to compare plans at different deductibles to see how much you can save on your plan.\n\nAlso, review all exclusions, especially an exclusions for pre-existing conditions that might apply to you.\n\nI hope this helps you find some good health insurance to meet your needs. Best of luck to you.
1127147
I am working in a rural appalachian clinic with people who have little access to health care, most are poor only in money. Rich in family and outlook.
846425
Just call around... Just ask if they use the sliding scale for uninsured people.  I went to one that normally charges $120 an hour but I wasn't working at the time and could only afford $40 and he agreed to see me. So just call around and state your situation and I'm sure people would help you out.
814792
Also, if you can't afford to pay for health insurance and your job doesn't offer it, or if they do it costs too much.....then you're in big trouble. I had to go to the emergency room once and I didn't have health insurance...omg it was bad.\n\n2 MRIs and some bloodwork later I was $12,000 in hole. Medical fees are effing insane here!\n\nBut yes, in general you always pay. Usually what it is is you pay a monthly fee for health insurance (averaging around $60 dollars a month) and then if you have to go to the doctor you have to pay a copay, like $20-$40 bucks. Then if you have to have medicine you have to pay the copay for that. Etc. for all medical related things really.\n\nBut someplaces can be free if you can prove your income is low enough. Such as PlannedParenthood. Which covers everything from actual pregnancies to mamograms and STDs.\n\nAnd then for kids if you're low income you can find clinics that'll cover vacinations and things like that.