Sunday, February 8, 2009

Health Insurance Alternatives

By Jordan FeRoss

Unfortunately, there are still many people without any health insurance in Texas. Obviously, this is a problem and everyone in Texas needs insurance. The good news is that there are many resources available to help people find the health insurance they need.

There are local clinics in that people without health insurance Texas may be able to visit when they need care. These local clinics provide quality care at a discounted fee. These are great places that treat people without insurance just as well as those who have coverage. Most of the time the fees charged by these clinics is based on the patient's ability to pay. There are several good online resources available to find more information on these local health clinics in Texas.

If you don't have health insurance in Texas and you are admitted in the hospital as an inpatient, there are avenues available where you can get assistance with your hospital bills. Keep in mind that you will have hospital bills, even with no health insurance. Depending on what kind of hospital you go to, there are some that are non-profit that can assist in clearing some of the debt. Hospitals that are non-profit based can do that because of what they stand for and because of their tax bracket.

For those investigating resources from the hospitals where they've received care, in-house social workers can be a wealth of information for patients on what special financing programs are offered. And, with financial counselors and specialized advocates, hospitals often prove to be the best friend to people without health insurance in Texas; working with patients to reduce their bills and discuss and arrange payment plans. There are also governmental agencies that work hospitals directly on behalf of patients without health insurance in Texas. No matter the route taken, there are extra steps to working with the hospital to pay off outstanding debt to them but it's far more preferable to ignoring the bills because they are overwhelming.

Another thing that can add to the cost of health care is the cost of prescription drugs. In the state of Texas, there are programs that will assist you with your prescriptions and other related expenses. Check for websites that can assist you in finding venues that can help you with the costs of your prescription drugs. This is a good idea, especially if you have a lot of drugs to take for your medical condition.

And, as mentioned earlier, even drug companies are helping defray prescription costs, with programs to help people without insurance get the medications they need at an affordable price. Pfizer and Merck are two pharmaceutical firms committed to assisting people lower their spending on medications. It is very difficult to live without health insurance in Texas, but with a little perseverance and resourcefulness, it's not impossible to get the care and attention you need, when you need it, often at a discounted rate.

Finally, veterans without health insurance in Texas can often receive low-cost or free medical services through their Veteran's Administration. You will need to fully understand the benefits to which you are entitled and what your financial responsibilities are for your care, but this is a terrific resource for quality care. Most active-duty veterans who received an honorable or general discharge are eligible for these benefits.

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