How to See a Doctor Without Health Insurance

House visits are rare, but country doctors still exist

There are inexpensive ways to see a doctor even if you don't have health insurance. The most important thing you can do is start looking before your symptoms get worse.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access or a phone book and phone
• A little cash, usually about 60 to 80 dollars

Instructions

1. Most cities in the U.S. have doctor's offices that are run independently of large corporations. These are individual doctors or a very small group of doctors who operate their own office.

2. What you are looking for is a doctor who has been established for awhile and is known in the community he serves. He or she might be in a small city or town and many locals visit the office when they have colds, the flu or other illnesses. When you call the doctor's office make it clear you do not have health insurance and have very little money. You want to know what is the cost for the doctor just to basically examine you.

3. If you are feeling sick enough to want to see a doctor, then it can help even if the doctor justs takes your vitals and does a spot check on your body to determine if anything warrants additional testing. Please remember that if this doctor has to perform any additional testing it can cost you a lot of money. For example, x-rays and blood tests. If you can't afford these don't hesitate to ask the doctor if they think this is absolutely necessary.

4. Many people do not take advantage of the short amount of time they have with a doctor. You should be prepared to ask the questions on your mind and tell them what has been happening to you to cause the visit. If you have a bump, rash or other sign of illness the doctor cannot easily see in a basic examination, tell them immediately.

5. Usually a nurse will come in before the doctor and take your vitals and ask you what brings you to the doctor. You can get straight to the point and tell the nurse everything you would want the doctor to know. Don't just say you aren't feeling good. Be more specific. This way the doctor should be prepared to focus specifically on your problem.

6. Often, the purpose of a visit to a general practioner doctor is to determine if you should see a specialist. If the doctor thinks your issue warrants a specialist they will usually refer you. But the doctor might determine what is wrong with you and if necessary provide a prescription or advice on how to get better.

7. Unfortunately people sometimes let an illness get worse with each day and then by the time they want to see a doctor they can't get an appointment or don't have time to research finding one, so they go to the emergency room of a hospital. Going to an emergency room will usually turn out to be a very expensive visit, even if you only have to pay a little money upfront or none at all. A CAT scan can cost several thousand dollars in an emergency room and basic x-rays are also expensive.

8. You don't necessairly want to go to the doctor every time you feel a little sick, but if you have unusual symptoms and they persist for several days, it's probably a good idea to get an opinion or diagnosis from a doctor. Without health insurance finding a local or "counrty" doctor who charges a small, basic fee for a standard visit, will be your best choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask other people in your area about local, independent doctors who charge small office visit fees

• If you live in a medium or large city, look to the smaller towns nearby, where country doctors often practice.

• When you can find a doctor who is in the profession mainly to help people then you are likely to find a very good doctor who charges fair and modest fees

• Unfortunately some people in the medical business will tend to recommend expensive tests because they make money from it. Make it clear to everyone you speak with that you do not have health insurance. Don't assume they all know just because you told the receptionist. Privacy laws prohibit some personnel from revealing your ability to pay status.

• Make sure you ask clearly what the total cost will be for a basic visit. If you do not get a clear answer, or do not understand the answer, ask again nicely.

Resources

• OnlineNewspaper.org