Where to get medical care without insurance

Some clinics can give discounts, or allow you to pay on a sliding scale that is based on your income. Community clinics may end up cheaper than going to a direct care provider, and urgent care clinics can be less expensive than a trip to the ER.

Ultimately, what you will be paying varies a lot by your specific health problem and where you go for treatment. You can visit healthcare. When getting medical care without insurance, there are steps you can take to minimize cost:. Take these steps now, before you need healthcare, to ensure you are in a better place financially later on. Looking for discounts, coupons, payment plans, and comparing prices can be immensely helpful for your wallet while trying to navigate the healthcare system.

Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. By SingleCare Team Apr. Top Reads in Company. How to get medical records Oct. Medicaid is a state-based assistance program serving low-income people under the age of Patients usually pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses, although a small co-payment may be required. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services so you should contact your local Medicaid office directly. Contact the relevant benefit offices to set up any appointments or interviews needed to expedite the process.

Be aware of any deadlines or important documentation that you may need to provide and keep accurate records of everyone you are in contact with. If you are unsure of your eligibility, it is best to apply and have a caseworker or legal aid office review your application before submission. Currently, 28 states have expanded their programs. For information regarding the Medicaid program in your state, you can call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS at or visit www.

CHIP provides health coverage to nearly 8 million children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but can't afford private coverage. Eligibility is determined by each state and is income and disability based.

Additionally, under the Affordable Care Act, many young adults are now able to remain on their parents' health insurance plan until age If you are looking for more information on insurance or have a specific question, our information specialists are available business weekdays, Monday through Friday, toll-free at from 9am to 8pm ET.

Additionally, the Reeve Foundation maintains fact sheets on social security as well as Medicare and Medicaid with additional resources from trusted Reeve Foundation sources. Check out our repository of fact sheets on hundreds of topics ranging from state resources to secondary complications of paralysis. Reeve Foundation.

Currently, about 28 million Americans are uninsured and an estimated 30 million are underinsured. One reason the number of uninsured is rising is that the federal government is no longer requiring people to maintain health insurance, though five states do require it: California , Massachusetts , New Jersey , Rhode Island , and Vermont , plus the District of Columbia.

The individual mandate requiring virtually everyone to have health coverage or pay a tax penalty was passed in as a part of the Affordable Care Act ACA. That financial incentive led many to get insurance, often carefully comparing and choosing a health plan that best suited their needs and budget.

But now with this section of the ACA no longer being enforced by the federal government, many people have dropped their insurance. Signing up for health insurance during the Open Enrollment Period helps you avoid shouldering the entire cost for large medical bills stemming from serious injury or illness. Most people declare bankruptcy due to medical costs, rather than for any other reason.

Undoubtedly, having health insurance can play an indispensable role in helping people maintain their financial security. We do not sell insurance products, but there may be forms that will connect you with partners of healthcare. You may submit your information through this form, or call to speak directly with licensed enrollers who will provide advice specific to your situation. Read about your data and privacy. Our mission is to provide information that will help everyday people make better decisions about buying and keeping their health coverage.

Our editorial staff is comprised of industry professionals and experts on the ACA, private health insurance markets, and government policy. Learn more about our content. Buscar: Search. Skip to content. Here, doctors and others volunteer their time and services to run these clinics.

These types of clinics also usually use a sliding-scale for payment. This means some people may pay nothing for care, while others may pay a nominal fee based on what they can afford. You can search here to find a free clinic in your community. Before you go to a free clinic, see if you qualify for free or low-cost health insurance—you may qualify for Medicaid or a subsidized Marketplace plan aka Obamacare depending on your income.

Enter your zip code to see plans and prices. Some independent, volunteer-run free clinics really are free. So, they will be free to use for some. Others may pay a small fee for care.

A free clinic is not the same as a walk-in clinic, which is just any provider you can see without an appointment. Urgent care centers typically have a doctor or mid-level practitioner who can see patients at all times they are open. They typically have x-ray machines on-site, too, and can treat anything ranging from broken bones to sinus infections to burns.

They is a way to bridge the gap between primary care providers and emergency rooms. A retail clinic is a walk-in clinic within a retail store, typically a standalone pharmacy or a store with a pharmacy in it.

They are designed to be an accessible and affordable place to get care for basic illnesses and injuries. Retail clinics may even give some kinds of vaccinations. They are typically less expensive to go to than an urgent care facility. They are almost always cheaper to go to than the emergency room. Emergency rooms are located within hospitals and if you are uninsured, are the most expensive way to get walk-in care. If you do not have insurance you could pay thousands of dollars for a single trip to the ER.

Community health centers provide prenatal care, vaccines for babies and kids, general primary care, and can even make referrals for specialized care. Many free clinics provide general primary care and make referrals when needed as well.

You can check to see if these kinds of clinics in your area are able to treat babies and children. You can also check to see what vaccines or immunizations they may offer for children and adults, too.