Alternatives To Not Having Health Insurance In Texas

December 26th, 2008

by Jordan FeRoss

Right now, there are many people who do not have adequate health insurance in Texas. This issue should be of concern to both the people of Texas and its legislators, who must recognize the need for all of the state’s residents to be insured. In the meantime, there are resources available to the uninsured seeking resources and help to find affordable healthcare for themselves and their families.

Texas has a great regional clinic system for people experiencing injuries or illness that isn’t emergencies and most accept patients without health insurance. These clinics offer high-quality medical care at discounted rates (often a sliding scale based on income), making them an affordable alternative to a hospital emergency room or doctor’s office. Online searches will yield the names and locations of Texas’ regional clinics, for those lacking health insurance in Texas.

People without health insurance in Texas may be able to qualify for special assistance if they are admitted to the hospital. There are many non-profit organizations that provide help with hospital bills to those in need. Since most hospitals are also non-profit organizations, many of them are able to work with you to lower your bill and make payment arrangements that are manageable for your budget.

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.

Living without health insurance in Texas is difficult, but not impossible to overcome. It is possible to get medical attention and prescription drugs at a discounted rate. Even the drug companies themselves, have programs in place to help uninsured people afford their medications. For example, Pfizer and Merck both have programs in place to assist uninsured people in getting their medications.

If you are a veteran and don’t have health insurance in Texas, you may be able to get medical care by going to one of the VA’s medical facilities. The requirements for this are if you served on active duty and received either a general or honorable discharge. You will have to contact the VA facility in your area to get additional information.

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