How to get Medical Care with no Medical Coverage

As of 2010, 7.8 percent of American children under 18 and 22.3 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 are uninsured by private or public healthcare plans. That means that 48.2 million American residents don't have health insurance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, if you are uninsured and require medical care, there are still ways to get the treatment you need to stay healthy.

Federally-Funded Health Centers

• Federally-funded health centers are located throughout the United States and are setup to provide healthcare to individuals without health insurance. Federally-funded health care centers can provide general checkups, treatment for illness, care for pregnant women, immunizations, dental care, mental health and substance abuse care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Patients are asked to pay what they can afford based on their income. Use the health center finder on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration website to find a federally-funded health center near you.

Free and Charitable Clinics

• Free and charitable clinics offer medical services of various types, including basic wellness checkups and urgent care, as well as dental and pregnancy care. The type of service offered usually varies by clinic. The National Association of Free and Charitable Organizations website can help you locate a free clinic in your area. Some clinics don’t take appointments, so you may have to wait to see a doctor. If you need immediate attention, go to a hospital emergency room.

Emergency Medical Services

• According to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, U.S. hospital emergency rooms are required to treat patients requiring care, regardless of their ability to pay, citizenship or legal status. If you have a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment or is causing serious discomfort or pain, visit a hospital emergency room. Depending on the time of day, location and your immediate medical evaluation, you may wait to see a doctor. Once released from the hospital, you can work out a payment plan with the hospital for services rendered.

Talk with Your Doctor

• Seeing a general practitioner regularly can reduce your risk of developing serious medical conditions that may require a trip to a hospital’s emergency room later. Many doctors will allow you to make payment arrangements for their services, so you don’t have to pay your bill in full right away. Ask your doctor, or the person in charge of billing, about making extended payment arrangements. Be sure to request the same rates insured patients receive as they are often lower, according to the Los Angeles Times.