Friday, December 26, 2008

Texas 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.

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.

There are several non-profit organizations who assist people with their emergency healthcare costs or hospital admissions when they cannot afford them. For people without health insurance in Texas, the assistance may be what stands between them and opting out of life-saving treatments. In addition to several independent charities, many hospitals are non-profit organizations willing to work with financially challenged patients on payment plans to make sizable hospital bills more manageable and less of a burden.

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.

The cost of prescription drugs is skyrocketing for everyone, but for people without health insurance in Texas, it can be completely prohibitive. For those struggling to pay for their prescriptions, one quick cost-saving measure is to request generic drugs from your physician. Many commonly-prescribed drugs can be very cost effective as more drugstores and drug companies work together to help patients keep costs down. Much like hospital costs, there are also government programs available to those without health insurance in Texas and the Internet is a great place to start the search for more information.

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.

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. - 16492

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