Discover How To Pay Medical Bills Even If you Don’t Have Health Insurance Policy
When you make the choice to go without medical insurance you will need to be prepared to deal with the consequences. Planned or unplanned medical procedures can cost quite a bit of money.
When you do not have insurance you are responsible for paying one hundred percent of the cost. If you cannot afford health insurance, you will need to take a proactive approach to dealing with your medical bills. With the rising cost of health care, many people find it difficult to afford health care costs even with insurance. It is important to be proactive because medical bills can lead to bankruptcy. If you do not have insurance try to find a plan through the Affordable Care Act and enroll as soon as possible.
1 Shop for Doctors, Urgent Cares, and Hospitals
How To Pay Medical Bills Even If you Don’t Have Health Insurance Policy
Different hospitals and doctors charge different fees for a visit. Call around and find out the average fee for an appointment before you get sick, so you know which place is the least expensive. For example, in my area one of the urgent care facility charges just $65 for an appointment, which is much less than the other urgent cares and less than what most doctors charge for a regular visit. The hospitals have different prices for procedures as well. If you are not tied down by a network, then it is worth making the calls before you get sick so you know where to go to save money.
2 Ask for Reduced Rates or Pay in Advance
Many doctor’s offices will charge you a lower rate if you do not have insurance, but you do need to ask for the discount. For some services the hospital and doctor may give you a reduced rate if you pay for it in advance. For example you may save money if you pay for a baby delivery in advance, instead of paying for it afterwards. This option may be available for medical tests or other elective surgeries, as well. Although this is not helpful in an emergency, it can save you a significant amount on your medical bills.
3 Call and Pay in Cash
Once you receive a hospital bill you should immediately call and set up a payment plan. Often the hospital will offer a lower payment amount if you can pay that amount in full immediately. If you have the money available you should do this, otherwise you should set up a payment plan right away. Do not wait to call and talk about payment procedures, because the hospital or doctor’s office may send you to a collection agency in as little as ninety days. It is more difficult to negotiate terms with a collection agency.
4 Save on Medications
Prescription pills spilling out of pill bottle, close-up
Ask your doctor for free samples when he gives you a prescription. They often have tons of free samples available to give to patients. Additionally, you can ask for generic drugs at the pharmacy and from your doctor, which costs less to fill. You may also qualify for help with a prescription assistance program. The drug companies can help you get the medicine at a price you can afford. Shop around for a pharmacy that offers them for less money. Walmart has a list of medicines they offer for just $4. Take the list with you when you go to the doctor to see if any of the listed medications will work in your situation.
5 Set Up a Savings Account to Cover Medical Expenses
If you choose not to have health insurance you need to set money aside each month to cover your medical expenses. Try to save at least $100 a month to cover the costs of doctor’s bills and medications. However, if you were to fall seriously ill without insurance, you may be forced into declaring bankruptcy. In addition, if you opt to go without health insurance, you will face additional fines under the Affordable Care Act. You will need to set aside money to cover those fines too. The fines will be due when you pay your taxes each year. Additionally, the fines are per person in your family.
6 Consider Getting Insurance
At the very least consider getting a high deductible health insurance with a health savings account. This insurance is the least expensive option, and it will protect you if you needed an emergency surgery or become seriously ill. You must pay all of your costs out-of-pocket until you meet your deductible, but then all of your medical bills will be paid in full for the rest of the year. A health savings account allows you to make contributions to use towards your deductible and you will not be charged on any interest earned. The money in this account does rollover from year to year, which makes it easier to save for the long-term. Health insurance is something that you need. It should be considered a necessity because it protects you from medical bills and allows you to seek medical care when you need it, which can prevent small problems from turning into more serious ones.