Programs for People With No Health Insurance

Millions of people in the United States are without health insurance. Fortunately, several local, state and federal agencies can help people get the care they need. Some of these agencies may provide you with needed health care, medicines, and even some preventive care.

Health Fairs and Free Clinics

• Many communities have occasional health fairs, inviting people to receive free physicals and help with medical problems. Often, these are through free clinics run by volunteer doctors and nurses. Medications are free, too, usually samples given to the clinics by pharmaceutical companies. Most likely, these events happen only open a couple of times a month, so pay attention to newspaper ads and tips from friends.

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

• The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enables children to receive health care, even if parents make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Each state may have its own version of CHIP, but it provides basic services such as routine checkups, immunizations, hospital care, and testing services such as x-ray and labs. Families also receive no-cost preventive care, but other services may carry some charges.

Low Cost Health Insurance

• The government initiated program called COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) guarantees that your health insurance plan continues after you leave a job. This program enables employees, or the widow of an employee, to continue their health insurance coverage. The insured, however, must now pay for all of it - even up to 102 percent. The main benefit is no waiting time for pre-existing conditions, and current treatments can continue.

  As an alternative, visit a health insurance broker's website, get several quotes for low-cost health insurance, and pick the one best for you. Find out how they handle pre-existing conditions before signing up.

State High Risk Insurance Pools

• Several states, 34 of them, now have health insurance pools providing medical coverage to those who cannot get it elsewhere. These pools assist people who otherwise cannot get coverage because of pre-existing conditions or the inability to afford high insurance premiums

Discount Medical Plans

• Another way to get low-cost medical care is to join a discount medical plan. Being a card-carrying member entitles you to discounts for most medical services. This only provides a discount (which could be sizable) and is not actually health insurance. You are still responsible for 100 percent of the balance not covered by the card.

Veteran's Administration

• For those who have served in the armed forces, the Veteran's Administration provides excellent health care for major health issues. The cost of care depends on income, and there are VA health care centers all over the nation, primarily in large urban centers. Veterans with low income receive free care and medications as needed.

Prescription Drugs

• If you need prescription drugs, but cannot afford them, there are several ways to get help. Large stores with pharmacies now sell generic prescription drugs for as low as $4 for a one-month supply. Another option might be prescription programs that some stores offer, or you can try websites such as RxAssist or RxHope.