No insurance? How to see a doctor before you need the ER
About 27.1 million Americans have no health insurance. If you are one of them, you still have ways to see a doctor. Getting care early is cheaper and safer than waiting until a problem becomes an emergency. A regular doctor can also help you stay healthy, so fewer problems turn into emergencies in the first place.
Step 1. Check whether you qualify for free or low-cost coverage
- Medicaid covers many people with low incomes. Rules differ by state. In states that have not expanded Medicaid, such as Kansas, most adults without children do not qualify, even with a very low income. You can check at HealthCare.gov or through your state's Medicaid office.
- Marketplace plans are health plans sold through HealthCare.gov or your state's own marketplace. Many people qualify for help paying for them. You can usually sign up during the yearly open enrollment period. You can also sign up within about 60 days after a big life change, such as losing your health coverage, moving or having a baby.
Step 2. Look for a federally qualified health center (FQHC)
Federally qualified health centers, or FQHCs, are also called community health centers. They are clinics in local communities that get federal funding to provide primary care to people, with or without insurance.
According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the agency that funds them,
“Health centers adjust their fees based on income and family size.”
HRSA also says,
“Even if you don't have insurance or can't afford to pay, you will not be turned away.”
To find one near you, use HRSA's free “Find a Health Center” tool at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Enter your location to see the health centers closest to you.
Free clinics in many towns also offer basic care at no cost.
Step 3. Find a cash-pay doctor
If you do not qualify for coverage, or you are waiting for it to start, a cash-pay doctor is another option. You pay the practice yourself. A typical visit costs $40 to $300. A direct primary care membership usually costs $50 to $200 a month. Always ask for the price before your visit.
Step 4. Know when to go to the emergency room
Some problems cannot wait for a regular doctor. Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, or signs of a stroke such as a drooping face, a weak arm or slurred speech. Under federal law, a hospital emergency room must check you and stabilize you even if you cannot pay. You may still get a bill later, so ask the hospital about its financial help program.
For problems that need care today but are not emergencies, such as a sprain or a bad cough, an urgent care clinic usually costs much less than an emergency room.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.