Paying for Medical Care after COBRA
Alternative Health Care Options after Insurance Runs Out
May 5, 2009
The 65% reduction in monthly health insurance premiums gave many unemployed individuals a little extra breathing room financially. Unfortunately, individuals who were not eligible to receive the reprieve offered by the Economic Stimulus Plan because their employment was terminated prior to September 1, 2008 or because their COBRA insurance benefits have expired have other options when it comes to seeking low cost health care. There are government backed programs that help individuals with low or no income.
Health Care Centers
The United States Department of Health and Human Services helps unemployed or low income individuals find community health centers that provide much needed medical services for low or no cost. Participants pay for care based on their income.
The health care centers provide prenatal care, childhood immunizations, dental care and other needed medical services. Located throughout the United States, individuals interested in utilizing services offered by the centers should visit Find a Health Center, insert the city, sate and/or zip code to find a listing of the health care centers in the area.
Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care Facility
Several hospitals, nursing home and health care facilities agreed to offer low cost services to individuals in the local area who could not afford to pay for health care. This service came about in response to a 1946 law passed by Congress whereby the health facilities would receive grants and loans for the purposes of modernizing and upgrading their hospitals in exchange for offering reduced cost care. Although the program was discontinued in 1997, there are still about 200 facilities that are obligated to provide the reduced cost or free care.
To utilize the services offered through Hill-Burton, one should visit the website and find a facility in the local area. Unfortunately, there are no Hill-Burton health care facilities located in the states of Indiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Utah and Wyoming.
After finding an eligible facility, individuals must request a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice from the admissions office. The notice provides all the necessary information and sets forth the guidelines for low cost or free service. After completing the application and providing any necessary documentation, applicants will be notified if they qualify for free or low cost medical care.
Be advised, however, that applicants may be asked to apply for Medicaid, Medicare or other financial assistance program as a requirement for receiving low cost care.
Assistance for Older Citizens
The United States Administration on Aging has compiled an elder care locator. The service provides help for older citizens (generally age 60 and above). Through this locator, senior citizens can find supplemental services such as transportation, meals, support for caregivers and affordable health care services.
By visiting the Elder Care website and inserting basic location information such as zip code city or county, individuals can obtain information on their local Office of the Aging to see which services are available in their home area.
Health insurance is usually the first course of action when it comes to paying for health care. However, during difficult economic times, it makes sense for individuals to research and partake of the many available services to help bridge the financial gap caused by unemployment.
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