Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has been a game changer since 2010, providing health insurance to millions of Americans. But, there’s a catch – nearly 30 million people, or over 9% of the population, were still without health insurance in 2019. This includes 5.7% of all kids under 19. The main reason? Cost. Many low-income Americans fall into the ACA coverage gap, making them ineligible for ACA subsidies or Medicaid services. Others can’t get subsidies due to the family glitch, where a family member has access to affordable care from an employer. Some people just choose to risk it without a policy.
But, going without insurance can be a costly gamble. In 2019, one in four uninsured adults struggled with medical bills, and three in 10 skipped necessary medical care due to cost. To avoid this, you need to find affordable care options that fit your budget.
Avoiding the doctor is the worst way to manage your health care costs. Small medical issues can snowball into bigger, more expensive problems. Instead, find providers who are willing to treat you without health insurance. Many uninsured people rely on the emergency room, but ERs are costly and often don’t provide the follow-up care you need. For more affordable care, consider community and retail health clinics and other providers that offer either free care or reduced rates.
Subsidized health clinics are a great resource, offering affordable medical care to those who need it, including the uninsured and underinsured. They provide basic care like vaccinations, prenatal care, and general preventive health care services like checkups and health screenings. Some also offer pharmacy services and specialized care, like mental health or substance abuse treatment.
There are two main types of subsidized health clinics: Free Clinics and Sliding-Scale Clinics. Free clinics are supported by grants, taxes, or charitable donations and provide care at no cost or a nominal cost to low-income and uninsured patients. Sliding-scale clinics treat everyone, but the amount they charge for care depends on your ability to pay.
Retail health clinics are another option. Many large retail chains across the country, including drugstores, supermarkets, and big-box stores like Walmart, now have in-house health clinics. These clinics are usually staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants rather than doctors, which helps keep their costs down. They offer services like physical examinations, vaccinations, health screenings, and treatment for common illnesses and minor injuries. You can walk in at any time and receive care after a short wait.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a different payment model where you pay your doctor a flat monthly fee in exchange for as many office visits as you want. DPC doctors have fewer patients and spend more time with each one. As a DPC patient, you have more access to your doctor and don’t have to wait months for an appointment.
Telemedicine is another way to see a doctor without insurance. You can have a virtual visit with your doctor through videoconferencing or ask a quick question via text rather than coming into the office. Telemedicine saw a big boost during the COVID-19 pandemic because it allows patients and doctors to meet without exposing each other to germs.
Free health screenings can help diagnose a wide variety of problems early, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, STDs, certain types of cancer, and mental health problems such as depression. Many organizations offer free health screenings to patients, including hospitals, community health fairs, senior centers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, pharmacies like CVS, and warehouse stores like Costco.
Hill-Burton hospitals are health care facilities that provide services to people who can’t afford to pay. To receive free care at a Hill-Burton hospital, you must have an income at or below the current federal poverty guidelines.
Urgent care centers can almost always provide cheaper and faster service than a hospital ER for non-life-threatening health problems. They treat problems like severe pain, infections requiring antibiotics, minor illnesses such as the flu or mild to moderate asthma, and minor injuries like sprains, strains, cuts, burns, and most broken bones.
Hospital emergency rooms are a last resort for many people without insurance. They can get treatment there even if they can’t pay, but they will still receive a bill, and it’s likely to be a big one.
Medical discount plans, health care sharing ministries, clinical trials, and other cost-saving measures can help you manage your health care costs if you can’t get the treatment you need from a more affordable care provider. However, the best way to get your health care costs under control is to get health insurance if you can. Visit healthcare.gov to see if you qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or a subsidized health care plan through a health insurance marketplace.
