Taking Care of Your Health on a Small Paycheck

It is estimated that more than 46 million U.S. citizens are without health care and millions more are struggling to pay health insurance premiums and co-pays. If you are living on a small paycheck and need help controlling mounting medical costs, consider taking advantage of the following options:

Go for a high deductible: No one likes the thought of a high deductible, but insurance is your best protection against overwhelming health care costs. If you can afford health insurance but are having trouble making ends meet, get a policy with a high deductible. While office visits may be more expensive, a major medical health care plan will protect you against catastrophic and unexpected medical costs.

Visit Your Community Health Department: Health departments provide services to community members in need. Most services are provided free of charge or for a small fee, dependent upon what the patient can afford. Services can include free HIV testing, immunizations, chronic disease control, basic medical health for adults, child health care, home health care services and pregnancy support.

Check local Health Societies: If you have a specific medical condition, such as diabetes or cancer, which requires regular medical attention, find an organization that works to help individuals with that particular problem. Groups such as the American Diabetes Association can provide individuals with the appropriate guidance and support.

Ask for Drug Discount Cards: Many drugstores and even organizations like the American Automobile Association (AAA) offer prescription discount cards that can provide savings of up to 35%. Review the perks that you are entitled to as a drugstore’s customer or a club member and take advantage of the savings that are offered.

Ask for Samples at Your Doctor’s Office: Many of us are used to getting samples at bakeries and grocery stores but never stop to ask to sample medications. Since it is commonplace for pharmaceutical representatives to drop off samples of certain medications when they meet with physicians, make sure to ask your doctor if he or she has samples available.

Look to the Lions Club: If you have concerns about your vision but don’t have vision insurance, contact your local Lion’s Club to ask about the services that they offer. Thanks to the Lions Club, donors have worked to prevent blindness by offering free and reduced-cost vision care services.

Go Back to School: If you are lucky enough to live in a city with a university that has a medical or dental program, consider finding out if they are seeking patients for treatment. Many schools offer high-quality, low-cost medical and dental care that provides students with the training they need under the supervision of licensed dentists.

Schools with post-graduate programs as well as dental hygiene schools also provide the general public with preventative health care services. The National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research can also help to provide dental resources.

Learn to Negotiate: There’s nothing to be embarrassed about: Many patients are now negotiating services with their health care providers. Let your physician or dentists know that you are experiencing financial difficulties and ask if he or she can offer a reduced fee or if you can pay by installment.

While health care costs seem to be skyrocketing, it’s still possible to obtain the medical services you need. And never disregard a health crisis: emergency rooms are required to help anyone who walks through their doors. By thoroughly researching your options and becoming an informed consumer you’ll be certain to obtain the health care services you need.

Author bio: London resident Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and a content contributor for payday-loans.co.uk, a company providing money advances when you need them.