I receive a good amount of emails regarding individuals who are out of work and have no affordable health care. My first response is to apply to your local state assistance program where you will often be able to receive what is called Shared Medical Cost. Get accepted to this program, and when your monthly bills reach your tallied amount, Medicaid will pick up all costs. Of course, this can get tricky as you need to have all your doctor visits and testing completed in one month's time so that you don't accrue any out of pocket expense.
Sadly, despite unemployment, most state will not automatically pick you up on their Medicaid program as they keep these monies for young mothers with children. There is nothing scarier than having fibromyalgia and no medical service to help you through the ups and downs. I know firsthand as I tread that avenue alone at one time.
If you have no allotted funds for any medical costs, then Shared Cost may not be the best benefit as you need to come up with money for your primary doctor visits. Furthermore, some testing sites and specialists will not accept Shared Cost up front as they are not guaranteed money until you meet your threshold. So, with little money on hand what can you do?
Actually, there are many programs set up at local hospitals to help patients who are unable to afford medical care. You just have to spend a little time hunting and picking to see what is available near your home. These services are labeled under Patient Assistant Programs at the hospital. Many will offer multiple financial programs and services to assist their patients. As a public organization, the community surrounding the hospital invests in the care that they provide. This support, in part funded by area taxpayers, is to assist with hospital care for individuals, without insurance or funds, who are residents of the taxing district.
You may be eligible for this support if you can establish that:
You have no insurance coverage.
You meet residency requirements.
You meet income criteria based on documentation.
You are not eligible for Medicaid or other public or private programs.
What Most Provide:
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care at the Medical Center.
Visits to physicians at the Center, Emergency Department for emergency care, and laboratory, rehabilitation and imaging services at the Medical Center as authorized by an approved physician.
Based on medical condition, prescribed drugs covered by hospital policy, issued at a designated pharmacy.
Specialty services are usually not covered including ambulance transportation, cosmetic, bariatric, dental care, pain management, specialist office visits, vision care, home health care, chiropractic care, mental health care and hospice. Flat rate services, or services due to complications from these services, are not eligible for financial assistance.
Usually, there is quite a bit of paperwork to be completed before being accepted, but it is well worth it in the long run once you are patient. Staff that I encountered enjoyed their work and received gratification through helping others. A must to check out if you need immediate medical care!
Sadly, despite unemployment, most state will not automatically pick you up on their Medicaid program as they keep these monies for young mothers with children. There is nothing scarier than having fibromyalgia and no medical service to help you through the ups and downs. I know firsthand as I tread that avenue alone at one time.
If you have no allotted funds for any medical costs, then Shared Cost may not be the best benefit as you need to come up with money for your primary doctor visits. Furthermore, some testing sites and specialists will not accept Shared Cost up front as they are not guaranteed money until you meet your threshold. So, with little money on hand what can you do?
Actually, there are many programs set up at local hospitals to help patients who are unable to afford medical care. You just have to spend a little time hunting and picking to see what is available near your home. These services are labeled under Patient Assistant Programs at the hospital. Many will offer multiple financial programs and services to assist their patients. As a public organization, the community surrounding the hospital invests in the care that they provide. This support, in part funded by area taxpayers, is to assist with hospital care for individuals, without insurance or funds, who are residents of the taxing district.
You may be eligible for this support if you can establish that:
You have no insurance coverage.
You meet residency requirements.
You meet income criteria based on documentation.
You are not eligible for Medicaid or other public or private programs.
What Most Provide:
Inpatient and outpatient hospital care at the Medical Center.
Visits to physicians at the Center, Emergency Department for emergency care, and laboratory, rehabilitation and imaging services at the Medical Center as authorized by an approved physician.
Based on medical condition, prescribed drugs covered by hospital policy, issued at a designated pharmacy.
Specialty services are usually not covered including ambulance transportation, cosmetic, bariatric, dental care, pain management, specialist office visits, vision care, home health care, chiropractic care, mental health care and hospice. Flat rate services, or services due to complications from these services, are not eligible for financial assistance.
Usually, there is quite a bit of paperwork to be completed before being accepted, but it is well worth it in the long run once you are patient. Staff that I encountered enjoyed their work and received gratification through helping others. A must to check out if you need immediate medical care!
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