Friday, December 26, 2008

Alternatives To Not Having Health Insurance In Texas

By Jordan FeRoss

Right now, there are many people who do not have adequate health insurance in Texas. This issue should be of concern to both the people of Texas and its legislators, who must recognize the need for all of the state's residents to be insured. In the meantime, there are resources available to the uninsured seeking resources and help to find affordable healthcare for themselves and their families.

There are local clinics in that people without health insurance Texas may be able to visit when they need care. These local clinics provide quality care at a discounted fee. These are great places that treat people without insurance just as well as those who have coverage. Most of the time the fees charged by these clinics is based on the patient's ability to pay. There are several good online resources available to find more information on these local health clinics in Texas.

People without health insurance in Texas may be able to qualify for special assistance if they are admitted to the hospital. There are many non-profit organizations that provide help with hospital bills to those in need. Since most hospitals are also non-profit organizations, many of them are able to work with you to lower your bill and make payment arrangements that are manageable for your budget.

For those investigating resources from the hospitals where they've received care, in-house social workers can be a wealth of information for patients on what special financing programs are offered. And, with financial counselors and specialized advocates, hospitals often prove to be the best friend to people without health insurance in Texas; working with patients to reduce their bills and discuss and arrange payment plans. There are also governmental agencies that work hospitals directly on behalf of patients without health insurance in Texas. No matter the route taken, there are extra steps to working with the hospital to pay off outstanding debt to them but it's far more preferable to ignoring the bills because they are overwhelming.

The cost of prescription drugs is skyrocketing for everyone, but for people without health insurance in Texas, it can be completely prohibitive. For those struggling to pay for their prescriptions, one quick cost-saving measure is to request generic drugs from your physician. Many commonly-prescribed drugs can be very cost effective as more drugstores and drug companies work together to help patients keep costs down. Much like hospital costs, there are also government programs available to those without health insurance in Texas and the Internet is a great place to start the search for more information.

Living without health insurance in Texas is difficult, but not impossible to overcome. It is possible to get medical attention and prescription drugs at a discounted rate. Even the drug companies themselves, have programs in place to help uninsured people afford their medications. For example, Pfizer and Merck both have programs in place to assist uninsured people in getting their medications.

If you are a veteran and don't have health insurance in Texas, you may be able to get medical care by going to one of the VA's medical facilities. The requirements for this are if you served on active duty and received either a general or honorable discharge. You will have to contact the VA facility in your area to get additional information. - 15485

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