Low Income Health Insurance for the Uninsured
A Guide for Americans without Health Coverage
Oct 30, 2009
Millions of Americans struggle with a heath care system that benefits health insurance companies more than sick people. Politicians debate health care reform but are making little progress because of lobbyists, special interest groups, and political priorities that favor career longevity over the health and welfare of American constituents. Those without health insurance must learn where to find affordable coverage and how to receive medical treatment until health care reform becomes reality.
Why Does America Need Health Care Reform?
In an ideal world, health care reform should be about people’s health and lives and not about political self interests. Unfortunately this isn’t an ideal world. Politics have become the stumbling block to necessary heath care reform.
The current system is broken and is in dire need of repair. All the power is in the hands of the insurance companies who get to choose who gets health care coverage and who doesn’t. They can offer coverage at outlandishly expensive rates or offer such minimal coverage that many people are simply underinsured. According to the reports from HealthReform.Gov, it is not an uncommon practice for insurance companies to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions as well.
Americans are left struggling with a weak economy, unemployment, rising costs and being uninsured or underinsured because of exorbitant health care costs and insurance costs. The current health care system has a dramatic negative impact on the state of the American economy as well. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Rapidly rising health care spending is considered to lower the rate of growth in GDP and overall employment, while raising inflation." An article by Jennifer Matlack of Redbook Magazine cites medical debt as a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States.Reform is needed to bring down high health care costs and to provide consumer protection that will demand accountability from insurance companies.
How Can Uninsured and Underinsured Americans Find Health Insurance Coverage?
The passage of health care reform will make it easier and more affordable for all Americans to enjoy the peace of mind of knowing they have adequate health coverage. Until then, there is hope for the uninsured or underinsured until such reform is passed.
The economic stimulus package stipulates that anyone whose annual income doesn’t exceed $125,000 per individual or $250,000 per family and who was terminated between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, may qualify for subsidies covering 65 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums under COBRA. Subsidies may last for as long as nine months. Guides for finding health care coverage for each state can be found at the website, “Cover the Uninsured.”
Many Americans are eligible under all different types of affordable Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance if they are uninsured. There are many options available which can change from employer based coverage to individual coverage to family coverage.
According to a press release in a web article called “Affordable Healthcare Options for the Uninsured & Underinsured,” Consumer Driven Health Care is another viable option. The Consumer Health Alliance was launched in 1992 to regulate Consumer Driven Health Care. Companies affiliated with the Consumer Health Alliance offer discount medical cards to their members providing them access to the healthcare without limitations and exclusions.
Lower insurance rates can sometimes be secured if one joins a club or a professional group plan, such as an alumni association or some other group plan. It is sometimes wiser to choose a high-deductible plan because such plans offer lower monthly premiums. Another consideration is catastrophic health insurance. This is a high-deductible plan that benefits the younger and healthier members who don’t require regular medical care. Such plans cover emergencies, hospitalization, X-rays and surgeries.
How Can Uninsured People Get Medical Treatment Without Health Insurance?
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor act, passed by Congress in 1986, dictates that no patient arriving in a hospital emergency room with an emergency condition will be sent away or transferred unnecessarily because he or she lacks health insurance. If the condition is determined to be an emergency, the hospital is obligated to stabilize the patient.
In addition, uninsured Americans can make use of free clinics or low cost Community Health Centers available in their area. Mini clinics staffed by registered nurses and physician’s assistants in stores such as Wal-mart, CVS and Walgreens can offer basic treatments and prescriptions for a reasonable rate. Another option for the uninsured to get medical treatment is to take advantage of free health screenings that are generally offered annually at health fairs held in shopping malls and other public forums.
Many doctors, if asked, will accept less than their asking price for treatment. They sometimes do this because whatever pay is offered is likely to be more than the insurance or Medicare payment would be.
Planned Parenthood offers family planning services and gynecological care for low fees. Another beneficial service for medical treatment for the uninsured is Tele-doc, a low-fee 24 hour telephone medical program that allows callers to speak on the telephone with doctors who can diagnose minor ailments and then call in a prescription.
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program is a government-run service. This program offers free and low cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to low income, uninsured, and underinsured women.
Encouraging Americans to exercise and adopt healthier lifestyles would improve the general health of Americans. Healthier lifestyles would reduce the overall need for complicated medical treatment. For additional information about maintaining good health, read the information offered in my Suite 101 article, “How to Stay Healthy and Youthful.”
What Are the Most Important Points to Remember?
Health Care Reform is essential. All American citizens should encourage their congressmen to pass health care reform that will benefit everyone. There are options for the uninsured and underinsured to find health coverage and medical treatment. Simply investigate some of the options and alternatives suggested in this article. As Cicero, a Roman philosopher and statesman, said, “In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in giving health to men.”
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