A major concern for many Americans is making sure they have access to affordable health care. In 2008, the number without health insurance was 46.3 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And in 2009, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, more than a quarter of Americans worried that they would lose their health coverage. About half feared that if they or a member of their family became seriously ill, they would not be able to afford care. Fortunately, there are ways to get affordable health care even if you do not have much money.
Step 1
Obtain health insurance. This will protect you from having to pay large bills yourself. One way to get insurance for yourself and your family is through an employer. If this option is not available to you--such as if your job does not offer insurance, you are self-employed or you are unemployed--you still may be able to obtain a policy. Many insurance companies sell individual plans, though they tend to be more expensive, according to the AARP. Other options include getting insurance through a professional membership organization. The National Writers Union, for example, offers group insurance plans for members living in New York state.
Step 2
Look for health departments and public clinics. The health care at such clinics tends to be offered on a sliding fee schedule, so the amount you pay depends on your income. Types of facilities to seek out include city and county health departments and federally qualified health centers.
Step 3
Tell your doctor that you are paying out-of-pocket. The doctor may be able to work with you in several ways. One way is by charging you a lower price for office visits. Another is by prescribing generic medications rather than more costly brand names--or even sending you home with a few free samples. Additionally, the doctor can keep your financial status in mind when deciding whether certain tests are necessary.
Step 4
Practice prevention. A healthy diet and a regular exercise routine can go a long way toward heading off health problems. So can seeing a doctor in the early stages of a disease such as diabetes before complications, like heart disease, develop. Putting off care until the problem becomes acute and you need to go to the emergency room is not a good idea both for your health and your wallet. On average, as of 2010, an emergency room visit costs $1,049, according to BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota. A visit to a doctor's office, by contrast, costs only $153 on average.
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