You lost your job and your health insurance… what are first steps? First, see if you qualify for COBRA. COBRA allows you to continue to buy your former employer’s health insurance for up to 18 months. You will have to pay the premiums, but it is usually less expensive than buying an individual insurance plan. The stimulus package also helps since the government is now covering as much as 65% of the cost of COBRA for 9 months. If you can’t be added to your spouse’s insurance, check out other groups you belong to—such as a professional, fraternal, or social organization—see if they offer a group policy. Should you tell your doctor you lost your health insurance? Patients are sometime reluctant to discuss losing health insurance with their doctor. But you should discuss this with your doctor. Some offices will work out a payment plan that you can handle or may offer sliding scale fees. Doctors’ offices can often direct patients to events offer free or reduced fee services like mammograms programs or immunization programs. What if you can’t afford to continue to see your primary care doctor? Community Health Centers are an option to consider. These centers are funded by the government and often charge a flat fee of $20 for care… Patients are rarely turned away if they can’t pay. You can find a community health center close to home by going to www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Free clinics run by the local health department can also be an option. What do you do about medications you need? This is a tough one, because health insurance covers a large percentage of the cost of prescription drugs… the co-pay may only cover a small amount of the total bill. Ask your doctor if you can be switch to a generic medication… may discount chains offer a list of medication that only cost $4 a month. If you need to stay on a brand name medication, pharmaceutical companies offer free or low-cost assistance programs for those who are struggling to pay for medications. A good resource is www.rxassist.org. Shop around.. prices from pharmacy to pharmacy can vary dramatically. What else can you do? Focus on the things you can do on your own to stay healthy. This includes exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, eating fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding excessive salt and avoiding high cholesterol foods. You can also get your blood pressure checked for free in most drug stores, and you can get free flu shots at many locations.
