Sick and have no Health or Medical Insurance? I will tell you what you can do
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Did you know that we already have free health care here in America? I'm not talking about the Obama Health care plan, no, before the Obama Health Care plan existed we had and still have a system called “Charity Care”. If you are sick and make below a certain amount of money you qualify for what is called “Charity Care”. According to Alex Jones, illegal aliens use this service on a regular basis and that is one of the reasons why the system is so tapped out (but that is another story).
Many hospitals will not tell you about this health care option and instead will admonish you to raise the money by hook, nook or crook which, depending on your illness could mean death. Let's face it, if you have cancer you might not have 6 months to try to raise money for health care.
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Charity Care is federally funded but states also have their version of it. One such program was the federally funded Hill-Burton program initiated between 1946 and 1974. Any state that participated in the program received monies from the federal government to improve their facilities in return they had to provide health care to those who could not afford it. There are hospitals that have not met the obligations of the Hill-Burton program and therefore must provide free health care to those who qualify. To see if you qualify or to get answers to your questions regarding this program you can call the toll free number below:
1-800-638-0742, the hot-line is available 24 hours a day.
Each state is different but the magic number that your income has to fall below is usually $7,500. That number does not include your house or your car. Your other assets cannot exceed $7,500 dollars, which coincidentally is also the number you have to stay below if you would like to avoid paying any income taxes.
Also you can go to a United Way hospital where they will
use a sliding scale to
forgive a certain percentage of the bill based on your income and if you
have health insurance and a rejection letter from Medicare. If you are
accepted by Medicare, they will forgive whatever is not covered by
Medicare. The other method is just walking in to the billing dept. of
the hospital and asking what you can do about reducing your bill. A fan
told me about these so if you have information regarding other options
please post them so as to help others. In addition, don't forget to scout out any free clinics in your area. There are some of these still around and you might be able to find the remedy you need at one.
In many cases the
hospitals will not
volunteer this information. And, there has been a decrease in doctors
and hospitals providing this care so it is important that you ask
about it and find a doctor or hospital that cooperates in the
program. Unfortunately, this whole system is in jeopardy due to the
recent passage of the Obama Health Care program, under that program if
you don't buy healthcare insurance I guess you can get it in prison!
Good luck and God Bless.
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Who knows, but whatever it is I don't think it will be good. Nevertheless, good luck to you and thanks for writing.
I was some what aware of this to a certain extent. I know that there are hospitals that have to treat you and can't turn you away. Years ago my husband had been out of work fo over a year and our sons appendix bursted on the operating table. We had taken him to uc Davis in n. Calif, he ended in pediatric icu for a week to the tune of over $50,000. That was in the late 80's. They had us file some paperwork and we never saw a bill. It was all paid in full.
This is exactly the point. America has different programs for people with low income. America cares about Americans (and also for anyone living in America) and no one is left without help. This is the real face of the Republic. We don't need any Obamacare which is full of lies and tricks and is used just for certain agenda of those in power.
I live in Wisconsin and my state has several health programs for low income people. For those who might be interested- first of all, it is BadgerCare Plus- ForwardHealth program, BadgerCare Plus Core for childless adults. These programs cover entire Wisconsin.
Then, for certain area there is Family Health Center (FHC) insurance (just check it online for more details).
I agree with you completely ReuVera...thanks for writing and you too Judicastro.
It's sad that the people that could use this info the most, probably don't have internet. To all who read this and know of someone that could benifit- get the word out. Great info Brie.
Thanks Fred, it is sad and that's why I wrote it.
Brie: It should be that if one is in need of medical assistance, emergency attention, one can expect to get treated regardless of their financial situation. The beggar on the street should be able to without worry or cost, be attended to and treated,in a humane way, no questions asked.
Brother Dave.
It should be and it is! It's just that the hospitals wont tell you in most cases...which is why I wrote the hub.
an excellent and informative hub. People need to know this.
Thanks...get the word out!
I'm sure this is a very useful hub, to many who had no idea that this type of aid was available to them. I fail to see why people are not informed of this kind of help. It always seems that the honest person is the last to know
God bless
Thanks, now you know!
Brie, this is an outstanding hub, all should know about in the U.S.! It's been about 15 years, I was living in California and was outside of Tucson, Az. Quail hunting and had a heart attack that resulted in a 3 week stay and high dollar mechanical heart valve installed at Tucson General. They didn't ask, they just did it and basically saved my life, who could argue with that? They had me in an induced coma for 2 weeks following the emergency service. I was self employed and due to this I was immediately "unemployed". As it came time to leave, they wanted me to write a check for $150,000.00. I literally laughed and asked them how many folks they knew who could write a check for that kind of money? I was grateful beyond description, but that didn't pay the bill. In the end I traveled by jet home, then got my tax return from the two prior years that showed a wash one year and a loss the other year as my business was young and just getting off the ground, and until I could get healthy enough to return to work, it was closed and loosing more money. It was then that they told me of the plan where the state would pick up the funds that the Veterans Hospital wouldn't pay and that was 50 or 60 thousand dollars, I don't really remember, at any rate, I walked away with out owing anything.
I asked the "what are you going to do?" "Take away my birthday? or cut me open and repossess my heart?" It was one of those things where they just saved my life and there was no time to ask me any questions where they could have sent me to a VA hospital and I would have been covered 100% anyway. Had I not been a veteran they still would have been where they had to figure out how to squeeze blood out of a turnip to get the money. I know many folks are going to say or think that I took advantage of the system, but I had no choices offered and was in no shape to answer any questions. So it was fix me or let me die, and they fixed me and I'll forever be grateful that they did, but the point here is that there exist services then and now for the folks who work and pay in to the system. Unfortunately it is there for illegals as well, who don't pay in or didn't but, who am I to say that my life is worth more than theirs? We should help humanity as we can. God Bless humanity and God Bless you for bringing this subject to the light!
Much peace and love to you for this information, 50.
Thanks 50.
Besides that there are many religious organizations that also offer charity care. I've seen it work, thankfully never had to use it, but have been made aware of it through other's circumstances. However, socialism does not work.
I agree R Talloni
This system sounds like socialism to me. Monies received from any state or federal agency, used to benefit any individual or institution can be nothing less.
It's called Charity Care and it used to be that every doctor had to do so much of it.
Well, i'm glad i live in a socialist country and health care is available for everyone, for free, i don't have have to pay for my medication...
Go socialist America :)
You can be poor and not pay or rich and pay...take your choice!
Thank you so much. I plan on making that call today. My husband recently crushed his ankle and basically had to have three surgeries to reconstruct it. He has other severe health problems and we have a mountain of hospital and doctor bills that we'll never be able to pay.
Good luck to you.
I never knew of such health plan. Though I do not live in the US, but with the wailing and shouting and 'trumpet-blowing' of the Obama care system, I just concluded that America has been living without a health care plan. I have been wondering how majority of Americans would cope. Here in Ukraine, they may not be as prosperous as America is, but there is a very good government subsidy and everyone can afford all sort of medical treatment or attention. For those who are familiar with Doctor House, a woman was asked to do some intrsumental and laboratory diagnosis (alone) which cost her close to $80,000. If this is truly the case, then I think Medicine is only for the rich. But thank God and thank you so much for this awareness. If not for your hub, I wouldn't have been aware, there are (not just one) health care systems which go deep down to the grassroots (to state and local levels) to meet the health needs to people is smaller communities.
Your awareness campaign is highly appreciated and I hope you keep up the good work.
Thanks Doctor, glad to be of help.
Informational indeed and on a lighter note I would also like to add "Sick and have no Health Insurance? Come to Yoga!"
I had no idea, this is great to know as I hear of many people, hard working people who have lost or can no longer afford health care. Thanks for the tips and great facts on sick and have no health insurance. Peace :)
Thanks, I hope you rated it up and are a fan :)
This isn't a healthcare plan at all. What about the rest of us that earn more than 7500 a year, but don't receive benefits with their job and can't afford to purchase health care on their own?
And the point is, that people don't know about this and have to fight tooth and nail to get access to this kind of care. A real healthcare plan provides care to everyone, regardless of income and makes it easy for you to access that care.
Yeah and Santa Clause brings gifts every Christmas to good little boys and girls. There is no such thing as a perfect system.
Great hub Miss Hoofman, keep it up!
come and live in australia, you dont have to pay any money or very little for healthcare. No hospital can turn you away no matter how much the bill for your operation etc. may be.
I'll consider it! Thanks for the invite.
But if not 'dirt' poor, you are not entitled to this 'free' care. Middle class get sent to collection agencies. This one does not help all people. Middle class get hounded and sent to collection agencies and Not people making a lot either. I could not imagine anymore living on $7,000 a year.
That's not true, I personally know people who are middle class that have received these services...each state is different.
Great hub very well written. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks I hope it can be of use.
I gave it a thumb up! This is very useful information for many people. Thanks for sharing it. :D
Thanks for commenting and voting it up, I do appreciate it.
The article is very helpful. You can also try this free ebook "save your own life" by Dr. Kiki Hurt M.D..it's a 109 page ebook and we are giving it for free. This our way in helping Dr. Hurt in her outreach in promoting a healthy lifestyle. the ebook is available at hurtmd.com
hi
in india the government hospitals offer subsidised medical care
in the state of tamilnadu even open heat surgeries are done free of cost
but then thanks to globalisation we have low cost insurance where the govt pays lowcost and offers insurance for the public
we do not know how far the scheme will be fruitful but to start with it yields benefits
thanks for being pro poor-great hub
Thanks for the comments tinyteddy
Well written hub on a hot topic. People who have Medicare and meet certain income and asset guidelines may qualify for extra help to pay Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles or may be eligible for other programs. To find out more information go to the website, Medicare.gov and click on the section, Get Financial Help. (Medicare.gov is the Official U.S. Government site for Medicare). These programs are not automatic, and many people who are eligible are not aware of their existence or how to apply for them.
Thanks for the endorsement Happyboomernurse!
I'm glad you wrote a about this! I found out about charity care when I had a retinal detachment in my right eye last year and I think it is something important that other people should know about!
Thanks for commenting and becoming a fan...I hope you voted it up!
Great information on health care. California is an interesting place to be when you need a doc. Its difficult to find the organizations that offer something similar to charity care. I am sure I just don't know where to look for the help.
Just walk into an emergency room or start calling Doctors and ask.
we all need health insurance one way or the other and I am seeing that there are many benefits for buying health insurance at work privately and so medicare for elderly and disability and then the disability act from Bush father signed twenty years ago and now come alive and then there is a balance budget for MA since there is law come out that the health insurance is required for every one in the states and free care from all the hospitals and there is needed for people to let the physician provider know what you do have and what you dont have and they will provide all and other than this is your health and as soon as find out about the sickness the doctor could cured these diseases
Hung: I'm not sure what your point is?
I didn't know about this charity care, so thanks for the info. I am in Florida, do you know if its active here?
Hi Jagandelight, I don't know if it is active in FL, however, I've heard from quite a number of people who have gotten the care in a variety of states. If I were you I would call around, surely someone will know and be glad to help. Call doctors offices and emergency rooms.
God Bless
great hub!
freeclinics. us is where you can find a list of free or low cost medical centers around the united states
Princess g, there is no list. In fact they don't volunteer the information at all. You have to ask, ask doctors, ask at hospitals ask anyone who might know. It's there but they don't make it easy for you.
Thanks for writing and for becoming a fan! :)
Interesting hub, even for me, living in good old Germany. ;)
How so, seebasic?
Small people are slaves of the politic systems...The richer get richer and the poorer get poorer...!
True but I'm doing my part to help.
nice health care plan thanks for the great article
It's better than nothing, when you have nothing!
This is very interesting. I live in SC. I work with abused and neglected children as a Guardian Ad Litem and most of the families have zero to no benefits. Which increases the rate of neglect ten fold. If you don't have benefits, and you don't qualify for medicaid because you make a dollar more than poverty level, what are these families to do? Instead, they try to "get by with what they have" and the child suffers. You really have to wonder what is wrong with our Government that they want to keep something like this so hush-hush. What about the elderly who need it, but don't realize it is out there? I am very thankful for your hub. I will be reposting this on my facebook page and other sites for others to see. All I can say is WOW... What a disappointment our Government is for trying to deny the care for EVERY American.
Thanks for writing ugagirl66
Thanks for this informaiton. I have a 24 year old daughter who does not have health ins. and lost her job. She cannot go on my plan becasue I am retired and on mecicare. So can she use this?
Each state is unique, you have to call ER's Doctor's offices etc and find out what your state has. Good luck and God Bless.
Red Bull HatsYour writing is good. In this I learned a lot! Thank you!
Thanks
Interesting article, I know a few people who could benefit from this information and will be forwarding the link.
Thanks, I hope you rated it up!
My husband and I just went through this. He had been sick and struggling with chest pains for a couple weeks, but we were reluctant to go to the doctor or a hospital because we don't have insurance. The pains intensified to the point that I was terrified of what might happen if I didn't take him into the ER. The hospital that I took him to tended to his immediate care and then transferred him to another hospital. While we were at the 2nd hospital we were interviewed by a social worker who referred us to a financial adviser. We were absolutely terrified about what our bill was going to be... turns out that after they evaluated our situation and my husband's income the 2nd hospital paid for all of his treatment and he was there for a couple days! We were so shocked and I felt truly blessed that they were able and willing to do that for us. The first hospital after evaluating our situation cut our bills in half. I feel extremely fortunate that they did this for us, I just wish that I had known about it sooner. I wouldn't have waited so long to take him in! I do hope that something happens with health care soon though so that people don't necessarily have to rely on the charity care so much. That way its funds can remain plentiful for when people really, really need it. Thanks for writing this hub! It's important information.
Rusty: Thank you for sharing your story, it's important that others hear about individual experiences.
Brie, thank you so much for this post. Many do not seek help because they do not know it is there.
When they put your medical expenses into collection (which they do all too often these days) you just tell them how much you can afford to pay. I am paying $20 now to one that I could only pay ten dollars a year ago. Another I paid $25 a month and yeah it is finally paid off!
If you offer money, they have to accept it. Just be sure to never be late on payment.
Thanks again Brie,
Thanks so much Pixienot, I am so grateful to all the people who have offered information because this subject is difficult.
Great info. Thanks!
great hub, thanks
Thanks joyness19 and mysteryman.
great hub. have voted it up. as per me every individuals especially people who are in their mid 40s must have health insurance.
Thanks maheshpatwal
Interesting. I've never heard about Charity Care. I am uninsurable because I have Bipolar Disorder, so medical bills scare me.
It's there, you do have to check and see what your state provides because they will not volunteer the information. The illegal aliens have been using it for decades.
Lack of health insurance is a huge problem for many people, but this advice should definitely help those in a bind.
I hope so, spread the word!
Very useful information, My dad worked at a hospital in NYC for over 25 years so I knew about charity care, but I didn't know about the United Way hospitals. Thanks for sharing.
This is very good to know. My daughter is 23 and has no health ins. I am on medicare because I am over 65, so can't add her. She will be interested.
I'm so glad to be of help, spread the word.
This is a great option I knew nothing about. It seems not only hospitals don't volunteer this information but also the programs themselves. Why isn't this advertised properly?
As a person involved in the Medical tourism industry, this is interesting knowledge worth checking out. People must be aware of their options and not feel trapped and under pressure. There is a new helpful blog that just got started on this exact issue: http://www.ticketmed.com/medical-tourism-blog
Thanks Brie,
Thanks...they don't advertise it because they don't want you to use it.
And you like Alex Jones? I'd better hide you from my gorgeous boyfriend, he's an Alex Fanatic! Haha!
Thank you Brie, for this illuninating piece, and ummm, if your still lookin' for land, come to Alaska.... just bring your long-johns! Be well, be happy...lily
Are you a fan lilyfly? If not I hope you become one. I'll be sure to look you up if I ever make it that far north!
Very nice page.. Good job!
Thanks Harold, come back again some time!
Nice read. I work at a hospital, another free way to get healthcare is to just show up and get treated and not pay the bill, like so many uninsured do. It's immoral, but I see it everyday, sadly.
Well, it's hard to judge people when they are sick and have no money.
Great info.
Thanks
I'm a bit delayed but anywho found topic very relevant. We have Medicaid here in CT and that covers most kids and parents if you have low income--real low to middle of the road (40k). But parents are excluded from plan if they make too much (mid 30's or so). So kids are insured with a full package and parents are not. Insurance is unaffordable for many who are in the middle range of income. So, essentially, you have to own nothing and earn nothing to be insured. Makes no sense. As for charity services, just walk into any emergency room and you will find the poor waiting in line for strep tests and other less severe illnesses because the hospital will take them free of charge. What about preventative care? Yes, no system is perfect. But how are poor encouraged to get out of the hole, break a cycle of poverty? Middle class families, too, are stuck. We need equal access to healthcare--everyone.
The way the system is now, it's better to be "poor" than middle class, the middle class are being raped. Thanks for the info, better late than never!
I hope that some can use this, but unfortunately there are still too many who suffer because of hospital bills. My first job in the US was as a bankruptcy clerk and I will never forget the elderly customers who were filing for bankruptcy because they couldn't afford their medical bills and couldn't get the treatments they needed. They were so humiliated, it was awful. I can still see the faces of some who would just shake their head, embarrassed, asking me where they went wrong. What can you say to someone in this position? These were good people, many were farmers, and they had no other option. I've never understood how so many US citizens could be against a health care system. I hope those who are eligible for Charity Care find out about it.
I hope so too, that's why I wrote the article. Send it to your elderly friends.
Well, I just called that number and left my address and information on their message machine. I sure hope this works cause I have no health insurance and have been very sick with a bad cough and running nose. With limit funds it can be really hard to get things taken care of.
If that doesn't work call around to the hospitals and doctors offices and see if they know of any programs.
Good information thanks.
you have written superb hub. It has cleared my views regarding health insurance.
Thanks
Thanks Susanjk and sagbee.
Every one knows about health insurance but few avoid to buy them. And your article will be helpful for them. Nice hub, keep it up…
One never knows, I'm bookmarking this. Thanks!
Thanks Cameron...and share in on your facebook or myspace page too for others to see.
I will! I did!!
I'm not even American and I found this fascinating, thank you for sharing :)
America is a powerful country, one that can afford to provide health care for ALL its citizens. Even here in Mexico we are taking steps to do just that (our state health care system sucks, but at least it's becoming free)
Health must be a right, not a product you must pay for.
Interesting article. How many Americans don't have health insurance?
A like Your Article
I don't know Rudra, I don't think anyone knows for sure.
Educative article. I don't have insurance health but with this your article. i have learn the importance of it. Thanks for bring it to my knowledge.
Thanks Chim4real
Thank you for this awesome hub! Having just graduated college and being without a job currently, the fact that I don't have health care scares me the most. This is completely useful. Voted up, awesome, and useful.
So glad to be of help..post it on your facebook so that your friends will know too!
hi brie i have a question my dad is sick and he doesnt have health insurance, he tried to appy for medicare but got denied because he has a house/property in guam. My dad is in san diego right now we want to get him health insurance but some insurance company denied it coz he is already sick...we aready paid 5th for his check ups and we cant afford it anymore.. do you have any idea where we can get health insurance or is there any other way my dad will get treatment w/o paying too much...thanks
You shouldn't have said anything about the house in Guam, first of all. I mean its in another country, there is no way they would know. In fact, if I were your father I would put the house in your name and then apply for medicare again. Other than that call all the hospitals in your area and ask them what you can do, don't tell them about the house in Guam and they should direct you to the programs in your area. It's different in every state.
Great article, I think you covered everything there.
Thanks, spread the news.
hi thnaks for the info it realy helps...one more thing, my dad is receiving disability allowance....can he get an insurance or medicare?
I don't know you would have to call medicare and ask them.
Confusion on Medicare, he needs to check out SS online. It has all the answers. If he's trying to get on Medi-cal, income and assets count. Visit the CA government site.
Thanks Auntie D.
This is a good post, I stumbled across your article while looking for .
Thanks Mulberry
Thanks for this hub. I have a 24 year old daughter who has no health insurance. I am retired and therefore cannot add her to more medicare. I will have her call the number and check it out.
Great, good luck.
Good Hub Nice Video,
Thanks smartnet
Excellent and well written hub.
It seems that many Americans fear universal health care but pretty much every developed county in the world has this as a basic right.
There is this obsession with the term - "socialized medicine" like it's something bad, but it seems that it's perfectly OK to have a socialized military, socialized schools, socialized police force, socialized fire brigade, socialized postal service, etc.
What i don't get is, those who can afford health insurance simply don't care about a fellow citizen and are perfectly OK with millions to suffer with their health problems.
Glassy: I believe that most Americans think that the system of socialized health care is inefficient and that people who need operations but who are old wont get them.
Brie, if universal health care is inefficient, then how is someone who is old, going to get an operation if they can't afford the operation, or if they can't afford health care, do they just miss out?
Did you read my article? I personally know many people who did not have health care who were able to get care and operations under the current system.
Yes, charity care, but there are so many hoops you have to jump through first and from what you are saying, it only applies to people who are very poor and others who are slightly less poor will still miss out.
No, that isn't true. The person I know of is middle class, owns her own home but is unemployed. Of course it does differ in different areas.
Wouldn't it just be better to have universal health care, so that you don't have to go through so much red tape and reduce the chance of missing out on the right to decent care?
The problem with socialized health care is that not everyone gets care with that either. Nothing is perfect..it also raises everyone's taxes.
You wouldn't need to raise any taxes to pay for health care if there wasn't so much government money wasting.
Umm, sure but how do you stop that?
Well you can't stop it really, it doesn't matter who you vote it, their gonna waste it in one way or another.
Hi Brie,
Your article was not only informative but I'm sure will help so many people! Good info to have and keep! Thanks for spreading the word, we need more Hubs like this one!
Thanks Spirit929, you're very encouraging.
Great info!.a very big help for me. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks...spread the word, post it on facebook!
The point of the article is how it is in America that if you are in the miserable position of earning less than $7500 dollars A YEAR you can ask around for charity medical care and that this is a saving grace?
This is not the reality of millions in America, without medical insurance the medicine itself is unaffordable, those on low incomes cant afford the medicine and the hospitals dont want to hear it. You can get emergency care but if you cant afford the medicine after you are in pain and out of luck.Charity systems exist but they are so few and far between and you have to earn next to nothing plus they dont cover the medicine you need. This is no solution and nothing to be proud of.
Third World countries have similar systems, you are speaking of America! If America spent less money being at war the country would have more money to take care of its people.
I am Irish, in Ireland we are taken care of, same as England, France, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Holland, New Zealand etc etc...all first world western countries, if you are sick you will be taken care of, no 'asking around' no red tape and no desperation. America you dont even come close to taking care of your sick.
I agree about the wars and the point of this article is that there is something out there which is better than nothing. And most people don't know about it. Regarding medicine, personally I think that natural is better anyway. Most of the medicine given by Big Pharma is worse than if you didn't take it.
Wisconsin has a plan called Community Care we know we had to use it but we also had to ask for it they didn't tell us about it. Our son 28 had a terrible accident and had a brain injury. He had insurance which paid good but was running out.
When he was in the hospital they came to us and said when his insurance ran out they would put him on Medicaid and they would pay all his medical care. I said will he get good care that way and they said he would get better care. They also said he could then go on Social Security Disability.
We do have health plans in this country for the poor. Poor are better taken care of then the families that have just enough to make it but aren't considered poor but aren't rich enough to pay huge medical bills.
Back to Community Care our son had over 100,000.00 left in medical care between clinics, hospital and flight for life. I filled out papers for him to every place he had a bill. Community Care paid all of it and one clinic gave him an extra year of Community Care.
They will also pay for people who have money but not enough to pay bills they may not pay the whole thing but will help with some.
Here are some of Wisconsin Medical Programs.
Community Care (You have to ask for it they won't tell you)
BadgerCare Plus for Pregnant Women
BadgerCarePlus Core Plan
SeniorCare
Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
Wisconsin State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Great Hub voted up.
Thanks Moonlake! It's comments like yours that really help!
I live about 2 hours from Atlanta. We have yet gotten insurance but my son became ill with a high fever so of course we took him to the ER. The bill came back and was over $500. They told my husband about their financial help for indigent cases. My husband makes just under $50,000 a year so i figured there was no way they'd help or maybe just pay a percentage. I went to the quick office visit, brought in all my papers....check stubs, bank statements ect...and to my surprise, we were covered 100%. Not only for that bill, but my husband is sick, i was told to come to the urgent care center, bring my "indigent/charity" form and it will cover all 5 of us in our family. This is good for emergency needs but i am ready to have health insurance so we can keep healthy and not wait for emergency situations:)
I'm glad you wrote so others know that this is available to them. There are many out there who can't afford health insurance at all.
I do have health insurance, but like so many Americans that have it, the health insurance companies are raising the deductible of out of pocket expenses every year. Last year I had a $1,000 hospital bill that I had to pay because my insurance had not met the deductible limit yet. I called the hospital to find out if I could make payments and in the process was asked if the income my wife and I make together is below the federal poverty level. I told the woman that we were making above the that amount. I came to find out the the hospital doubles the federal poverty income amount and if you are below that, they will write off the debt. And, that is exactly what they did.
I don't think too many people know about this. I live in Ohio and some of the hospitals do this. However, if you get treatment at a hospital you need to know that places like Pain Centers etc. that have the hospital name, sometimes hire doctors from without the system as independents doctors to give treatment. Once that happens, it takes the hospital out of the picture and you will end up owning the independent doctor instead of the hospital.
These doctors pay the hospital for use of their facility. I found out the hard way, that the doctors will only write off bills for people that earn below the federal poverty level. They do not double that amount like the hospitals do.
Just thought I would make you aware of that. Remember to ask the hospital what there policy is on the federal poverty level and if there limit is double, make sure you asked to be treated by hospital personnel and physicians that actually are employed by the hospital.
Hope this was helpful. Rick
Thanks Rick..very helpful indeed!
This hub is awesome! It's so wonderful that you wrote about this. It is useful and something I had never heard of before... two thumbs way up!
Thanks Phoebe, feel free to post it on your facebook page.
Very informative! Voted up.
Thanks Urmilashukla23, feel free to repost on your facebook page.
I am a contractor and make a pretty solid salary, I stupidly thought I did not need insurance, since I did not feel like paying 6k for a overnight hospital stay I found a medical bill negotiation service http://www.klfinancialservices.com they were able to get the bill down to $2400. I was lucky I could afford the lowered bill...
That's great, thanks for the tip Iscastro.
Charity Care will not pay a hospital doctor,private doctor visits,surgeon fees,radiology,anesthesia,or anesthesiologists.
I've heard from people that have told me that it has...maybe it's just your state.
Hi Brie,
As you know I gave some information before and now I have even more. Since the last time I wrote, another snag entered into my life that caused me to loose my health insurance. This, of course, is not a good thing for a 63 year old who falls two years short of getting Medicare. So, I had two choices. Sit down and brute about it and and take my chances for the next two years or dig and search till I found something, anything that could at least fill the cap to some extent.
Some of this may be repetitive, but much of it is new. I did not realize that besides the Fed and State programs out there, which are not really designed for middle or lower middle class, there are county, city and even Medical Group assistance and of charity as well. Hospitals have programs too.
First I looked into a volunteer program comprised of Doctors, both family and specialists, in Summit County, Ohio, called Access To Care. If you do not have health insurance and make less then around $21,000 a year, and are between 18 and 64 years of age, you qualify for either no cost or very low cost treatment. So, I called to sign up and found out that they needed to take my wife's income into consideration too, even though, I am the one without health insurance, and I do now qualify to get on her plan. The bottom line was, for two people, you have to make under $29,000 a year, and that disqualified me.
I was disappointed but did not want to give up.
So next I found out about the OPEN M clinic that is charity based. Their basic qualifications are that you live in Summit County, Ohio, you are between the ages of 18 and 64, have no health insurance and are not on Medicare or Medicaid. The only small issue is that to enroll, you must call on an specified enrollment date and keep your phone on speed dial because you must get in on that date while hundreds of other people are calling too. Once you get through, you leave you name and number and they will call you back within 24 hours. If you do not answer their call within that time, you will loose your spot and have to wait till the next enrollment date.
Once accepted, you get free, by appointment only, healthcare from family care to specialists, dental and medication.
I also found out that one of our hospitals called Summa Health Systems, has specific doctors that became members of Summa Physicians Inc., and they provide a program for people without insurance, that based on your income, combined with my wife's in my case, will allow you to go to any member of SPI and get either free or greatly discounted treatment. This means you can see almost any type of doctor and even go to some urgent care facilities under the plan. Once you get accepted, and I did by the way, you are in the system and since the billing goes through SPI, you pay nothing up front and when you get the bill, you will be discounted as low as 0% of the cost of treatment. The only thing with this program is that it is good for 6 months and then you will need to be re-evaluated. If your income and everything else is the same, it will continue for another 6 months and so on. Wow! I got accepted and as a bonus, so did my wife. Since she is on an HSA insurance policy through her work, this works out really good for her too, since she has to fund the first $2,500. So for her, using this plan will mean she won't have to use anywhere near the amount of her funded money as she did last year, as long as she goes to SPI members. This could mean changing some doctors as well.
For Prescription Drugs, I wanted to let you know that I got on the Ohio Best RX program. To qualify you must be between the ages of 18 and 64 and again, not have health insurance. This card gives you discounts similar to the the ones you get through an insurance companie and in some cases the cost is even lower then the insurance companies. You still have your doctor write you a script, and for meds you take on a regular basis, the doctor will write them for 90 days. You take them to your local pharmacy, and get your discounts. One of my meds that I was paying $10.00 for 90 days with my insurance, I now pay $15.00 for 90 days and I don't have any health insurance premiums to pay anymore. You can even go online and find out the exact cost of the your medication so you know exactly what you are going to pay. You will find however, generic drugs get huge discounts, but if you want a name brand, it will be very expensive, so let you doctor know about this. We are in control of our health, so if there is a generic available, let your doc know that is what you want.
Another thing I found out about prescription drugs, when you go to a pharmacy and let them know you have no insurance, some of them can swipe a discount card they have, to greatly reduce the cost, as long as it is a generic drug.
Once last thing, don't be afraid do tell your doctor that you don't have insurance and ask what is the lowest they can charge you and if they have any programs in place for people without insurance. I did this with two of my doctors. My cardiologist decided not to charge me at all for a visit and my general practitioner, told me about the SPI program I mentioned above. Since then I found out that both of them are SPI members so I can still see them and not worry about the money. I also talked to my Psychiatrist, who prescribes some of my meds, and he offered to reduce my cost to only $6.00 more per visit then what my copay was when I had insurance. You can also request the same thing from any hospital or medical facility. Many of them base your income on 2 to 3 times the poverty rate, so there is a good change you will get a discount.
Persistence is the key everyone. If you don't keep digging and searching and trying, even when you get turned down with some programs, you won't get help. So don't stop because people and physicians out there, do want to help.
I hope this helps, Rick
Thanks so much Rick, I know that your information (even for those not in Ohio) will help.
bayoulady Level 1 Commenter 20 months ago
awesome hub and clip, very useful!
I am fortunate to live in Louisiana , where we have charity hospitals based on income and ability to pay. When I retired just recently , my insurance went up to $644.00 a month for just me! I had to cancel it,so I will have to use a charity plan, as I have serious pre-existing health issues that will hinder me from being insured at an affordable price. I don't know what all Pres. Obama's plans to require health insurance is going to do to my itty -bitty retirement check!