Are you struggling to afford the cost of health insurance and can’t get Medicaid? Many people are suffering from recent job loss and with nearly half of Americans having insurance coverage through their employer, many people are left wondering what to do next. Fortunately, there are some other options for you to consider so you aren’t left completely in the lurch.
Keep reading to learn what to do when you can’t afford health insurance and don’t qualify for Medicaid.
Urgent Care Clinics
In the last few years, there have been many urgent care clinics opening up in retail stores and various chain pharmacies. Since they are so conveniently located they are a perfect choice for people who don’t have a regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of health insurance.
These clinics are capable of treating many common ailments such as ear infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, or sinus infections. They also have low fees for visits and can even prescribe you prescriptions. The price of your visit and the accompanying prescriptions are generally about the same price as if you had health coverage.
AFLAC
AFLAC isn’t health insurance but they do offer you plans that can pay you a flat amount for specific illnesses or injuries. AFLAC is less than most health insurance plans, and the cost is generally less than $100 a month. In the event of an illness, injury, or other healthcare events, your plan will pay you thousands of dollars if the event is covered.
Even though this isn’t health insurance, the company will send you the money directly. This means you can use it to cover some bills while you are out of work or cover some of your healthcare bills.
Non-Prescription Substitutes
If you need a prescription while you don’t have health insurance then you can ask the pharmacist about a non-prescription alternative. This can also come into play if a prescription you need isn’t covered under your insurance which will need you to pay for it out of pocket.
Depending on what type of medicine it is, your pharmacist may be able to recommend an alternative that is over the counter. Many of these medicines were once offered by prescription only. You can also look for affordable drugs online, especially if it is a maintenance medicine that you need to take often.
Create an Emergency Fund
Unfortunately, paying for unexpected healthcare costs can be a major issue for you if you don’t have health insurance. Despite the administrative changes from the government, such as the Affordable Care Act, many people are still faced without having coverage.
In order to be prepared for anything that may arise for you or your family, you should concentrate on creating an emergency fund. This way you have some money set aside that is specifically meant to cover visits to the clinic or hospital.
Start by creating a budget to see how much money you have leftover after your monthly bills and expenses have been paid. Then cut out any expenses that aren’t absolutely necessary such as your daily coffee run, and put every extra dollar into savings.
If you don’t have much money left over after your monthly expenses then you might want to consider taking on a part-time job or a side hustle. The money earned could be saved for paying any health insurance premiums.
Medical Rider on Auto Insurance
One of the more common risks you take on a daily basis to your health is being in an automobile accident. If you can’t afford health insurance you don’t want to be left in the lurch if you are injured in an accident. If you drive a car then having auto insurance is required by law in most states.
To keep yourself covered in the event of an accident, you can increase the amount of the medical rider that is under your auto insurance. Increasing the amount of coverage usually doesn’t change the cost of your premium very much and is a good option for you and your family. Auto accidents are one of the more common reasons you need health coverage at all.
Take Great Care of Your Health
Even though you should always be mindful of taking great care of yourself and your health, it is even more important to do so if you don’t have any medical coverage. If you have a nagging issue, do not wait too long to have it addressed by a doctor. Most conditions only worsen with time and can end up costing you a lot more money than if you had gone at the first sign of trouble.
If you don’t have any issues and are generally healthy, there are some other things you should do to keep yourself in good health. When driving, be mindful of the road and other drivers around you and make sure you wear your seatbelt. If you are overweight you should begin focusing on eating healthy so you can lose some weight and make sure to exercise regularly.
If you are a smoker or a drinker then you should also focus on quitting these activities since they only lead to additional health issues.
Find a Part-Time Job with Coverage
If you don’t currently have coverage either through your work or on your own, then you might want to look for a part-time job that suits your needs and has health insurance.
This is a great way to have coverage for you and your family if you are unable to find another affordable way. Plus it will help you bring in some extra money you might also be needing. Some part-time positions allow you to work your own set schedule so it will be easier to fit this into your current schedule.
Learn More About What to Do if You Can’t Afford Health Insurance and Don’t Qualify for Medicaid!
If you can’t afford health insurance and don’t qualify for Medicaid then don’t panic. There are still plenty of options for you and your family to be able to get the healthcare you need.
You can look into programs such as AFLAC that will help cover costs if you are injured or ill. You can also visit urgent care clinics that don’t require insurance and charge about the same fees as they do with coverage. You can speak to your pharmacist for over the counter alternatives to your prescriptions.
If money is tight you can find a part-time job that offers health insurance and also use that income to help set up an emergency fund to help cover major health events as well.
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