Electronic Health Reporter

Despite the best efforts of the government, there are still millions of US citizens who don’t have healthcare coverage. This translates into a large percentage of the population forced to forego preventative care and even emergency healthcare services. While bureaucrats continue to rewrite laws and introduce legislation that might make health care more affordable, more practical solutions are also being sought. There are mobile health clinics appearing in major cities, as well as well-known walk in medical clinic businesses that are emerging in both rural and rural environments. In order for people without health insurance to get access to medical services, they have to know what is available to them.

Healthcare Coverage Based On Income

Both older Americans, as well as low-income citizens, can get medical insurance if they ask for assistance. Medicare and Medicaid are government subsidized healthcare plans that can be used in traditional doctors’ offices as well as hospital emergency rooms. People with disabilities and even people who are experiencing hard times can usually qualify for coverage for themselves and their families. These kinds of medical plans are widely known in the US and are accepted by most doctors. The only downside is that neither of these government-sponsored medical plans is all-inclusive. More specifically, Medicare does not offer dental coverage.

Charity-based Healthcare Services

If a medical emergency occurs and the person affected doesn’t have any kind of medical coverage, then he or she can expect a very large bill to follow soon after. Financial limitations can be a major obstacle for people suffering from chronic medical issues for several reasons. First, if you have amassed a big medical bill from a local hospital and you haven’t at least set up a repayment plan, you can be prevented from scheduling any future procedures. Second, having a large medical debt appear on your credit report can make it hard for those without health care coverage to get better-paying jobs or otherwise get out of this vicious cycle. Charities offer help with medical bills as well as give a segment of the population access to low-cost healthcare services.

Sliding Scale Medical Clinics and Centers

By far, the most frequently used service by those without healthcare coverage are walk-in medical clinics. These clinics often offer extended hours of business and are regularly open on the weekend. People are likely to find several walk-in clinics open in a single town or county. More importantly, walk-in medical clinics generally charge fees on a sliding scale basis. This means that low-income individuals can get medical services that are actually affordable instead of having to pay hundreds for a routine check-up just because they don’t have health insurance.

Sometimes people without health insurance are also the main breadwinners in their family. While they continue to work and worry about the future, they don’t make their health a priority. It is easy to see that a lack of affordable healthcare services actually helps to perpetuate cyclical poverty. Those without health insurance need to use all resources available to take care of themselves and their futures.