What do I do if I don't have health insurance, and I need to see a Doctor?

What do I do if I don't have health insurance and I need to see a doctor?

There are some medical clinics that offer discounts or sliding scales based on income. Community clinics are most likely going to be less expensive than going to an urgent care or a direct care provider and certainly less than going to the ER. It will come down to what your health issue is and what treatment is needed. You can call clinics to inquire about pricing for treatment, though you may be surprised that many won’t know until AFTER they see you. RevMed does not require or even take health insurance so that is a great option as well. The fee is an affordable monthly membership and there are no co-pays or additional costs for office visits, phone calls or video calls. And our pricing is transparent and up front.

Where do I go if I don’t have a PCP

There are providers and medical clinics that have openings for new patients, but the waiting time can sometimes be months. If the matter is urgent, there are urgent care facilities that can see patients the same day, though a wait in hours is usually required. RevMed is taking on new patients and is an option that can also get you in quickly and doesn't require you to spend hours in the waiting room.

What do I do if I'm pregnant and I don't have a doctor?

Store bought pregnancy tests are usually quite accurate, but you should follow up with a physician as soon as you are aware of your pregnancy, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of pregnant women, sometimes referred to as an "OB" or "OB/GYN". Call a practice as soon as you can, so that you can be seen early in your pregnancy. Urgent care, Planned Parenthood, and emergency rooms as well as other medical clinics will help you either obtain care there or refer you to a place that can help, even if you can't afford to pay. If you're planning to continue your pregnancy, finding out about implementing good prenatal care is one of the most important things you can do. Planned Parenthood health centers can also offer referrals for adoption services. Dr. Dan can help with referring you to a specialist and can help manage a pregnancy along with your obstetrician.

What do you do if you don't have a family doctor?

There are local urgent care facilities that provide short exams and vaccinations, but they also boast the resources to treat a wider range of problems for your family. You can usually find X-ray machines at these sites, so providers can diagnose sprains or breaks. While they are equipped for handling many issues, they may need to refer patients to an emergency room. Additionally, they are less equipped to provide follow-up with your personal physician. Because they are often open nights and weekends, you may have to either see whoever is available or try to catch your physician when they come to the clinic. You can also set up an appointment with Dr. Dan at RevMed if you want to start a relationship with a family doctor. He will learn the history of you and your family and help set up everything needed for you to be up to date on your wellness. That includes blood tests and any needed prescriptions, physicals and ultrasounds if needed.

Do I really need a physical every year?

Most people think they need a yearly physical, but that really depends on your age and your overall health. Checking for illness without feeling ill, often called screening or primary prevention, is a complex issue and best handled by an expert in preventative medicine, such as Dr. Dan. If you are healthy in general, you may only need occasional preventive screenings based on your age.

What can I do if I don't have a Primary Care Physician?

Again, there are local urgent care facilities that will see you for physicals and basic exams. If you are having a health emergency or might be having an emergency, then always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. There are also remote medical professionals that offer virtual exams that can be lower in cost than one in a physical office. Many of these offer dial-in when you need help. Many drugstores have added mini clinics that can provide care when needed. These are all potential solutions for temporary support but finding your own PCP is really your best bet. If you are interested in having a PCN that can do in person visits, video and phone calls and house visits, set up an appointment with Dr. Dan at RevMed and start receiving care from someone that will know you and your medical history well.

Am I required to have health insurance by law?

Health insurance was legally required for several years but that changed at the start of 2019. It is no longer mandatory at the federal level. However, some states might impose a tax penalty without it so check the laws in your state to learn more about their laws.

What happens when someone doesn't have health insurance?

Not having health insurance can lead to medical bills that can become astronomic if a medical situation occurs requiring treatment. Medical debt is one of the biggest financial issues for individuals in our country. More than half of personal bankruptcies have medical debt as the main cause. The biggest reason many Americans go without health insurance is the high cost of health insurance premiums. There are plans available with high deductibles that can strike a balance between premiums and out of pocket costs/deductibles. Membership at Rev Med does not require insurance and can provide your routine medical care. You can even save money using RevMed for your routine healthcare and using high-deductible insurance to handle emergencies. Check with a health insurance broker to see if that makes sense for you.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in USA without insurance?

That depends on the practice but paying out of pocket will be somewhere between $75 to $300 for a basic exam. The cost of primary care can be upwards of $600 if you need lab tests or immunizations. Most local health departments will offer vaccinations at a low or reduced cost to residents of their area and are a great option, though appointments can take months to get. Direct pay physicians charge reasonable cash rates to be seen, without also charging your insurance. And the wait times are much faster.

How do poor people afford health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was originally created to offer government subsidies with the goal of helping low- and middle-income people be better able to pay for health insurance. The subsidies are usually offered through the federal health insurance marketplace or a state-run marketplace. Health share plans are an option outside the federal/state marketplace and usually offer lower costs with fewer guarantees on payment. Finally, many people simply go without, and if an urgent matter occurs, they go to the emergency room. Most if not all emergency rooms are required to stabilize emergency medical conditions regardless of the patient's ability to pay. But importantly the patient or their parent/guardians are still responsible for any charges.  Also, they do not manage chronic conditions like blood pressure or diabetes. Always remember that the emergency room is the most expensive place to be seen.

Does the IRS penalize you for not having health insurance?

This was the case for several years but there is no longer a financial penalty for not having health insurance. This penalty was sometimes referred to as a "Shared Responsibility Payment" or a "mandate". As of 2018, folks that do not have health insurance no longer need an exemption to avoid paying tax penalties.