A Survival Guide For The Uninsured
65
America's Greatest Shame
In the United States by U.S. Government numbers there are 47 million people in the United States with out health insurance. Of that 47 million 9 million are children. American children. But we still send billions of dollars of American tax payers money out of this country each and every year. Why?
Every year right here in the United States in what is supposed to be one of the richest nations in the world our American senior citizens have to make some very hard decisions. They either have to buy their prescription drugs out of their fixed incomes for a portion of the year or they have to do with out their prescription drugs. If they pay for their prescription drugs during the period of time known each year as a doughnut hole then they can't pay for food, utilities, or other necessities.
Do you know that right here in the United States that approximately 18.000 people a year die because they can't pay for their needed health care. But no one is screaming about this and you hear very few American politicians talking about it.
America is supposed to be based on Christian principals and on our American Constitution but it really doesn't work that way anymore. What do you think our American founding fathers would say about 18.000 people or more a year dying in America because they can't afford health care.
You would think with this problem right out in the open that millions of Americans would be demanding a fast solution to this problem but it isn't happening. You would think that it would be the hot topic on the T.V. News Shows but that isn't happening. No one is trying to help and some politicians say we can't afford to get involved. How can we not get involved. How can we not demand that a real solution to the medical health care issues here in America be found.
Paying for the prescription drugs of our American seniors and children should be our first priority. Feeding the hungry and housing the homeless should also be one of the key issues on the nightly news shows but its not.
We must find a way to provide health care for each and every American. Until that happens not one dime of the American tax payers money should go overseas. Not one dime. Health Care should be on the mind of each and every American citizen. It should be the hot topic on the TV News Shows. But instead we get daily doses of spin. And you know what the spins for. Its to keep your mind off the important issues. Issues like health care for every American.
A Survival Guide For The Uninsured
It is estimated by the U.S. Government that 46 million Americans don't have health insurance and many American seniors face doughnut holes each year with their health care plans that force them to either pay for their prescription drugs or do with out them. Its sad that senior Americans have to do with out their prescription drugs for a period each year. Here I'm going to try to provide some valuable information that can give American seniors some alternatives to doing with out their prescription medicine.
Buying Health Insurance On Your Own.
Be sure if you have to buy health insurance on your own that you do your own research and shop around for the best deal. Don't go with the first health insurance offered to you. You can always go back later to the first insurance offer if you can't find a better offer.
Keep in mind that health insurance policies with higher deductions will cost you less but you will have to pay more up front and you will have to meet the deduction before the insurance company will pay any thing for you.
Some ways you can lower health insurance premiums is to get healthier. If your over weight lose weight. If you don't get exercise start walking for exercise. If you smoke stop smoking. Ask the insurance agent selling you the health insurance if there are any ways you can lower the cost of your health insurance. Usually though not always an independent insurance agent will work harder for your business and you may end up with a lower rate. Just be sure that you know and understand any health insurance policy that you purchase. Know what is and is not covered. Read the policy carefully and write down any questions you may want to ask your insurance agent.
Are Tax Deductions Available To You
Be sure that you ask the person doing your income tax return for you if there any deductions you can take advantage of if you are having to pay for your health insurance. Rules can change year to year so what can be claimed this year may not be able to be claimed next year.
Is A Discount Prescription Available
Some medicines like Lipitor offer discount medicine cards. With the available discount Lipitor Medicine Card you can pay as little as $4 a month for your Lipitor. Click Here for full information on this offer.
Free Discount Drug Cards
There are many free discount drug cards where you can apply for a free discount prescription drug card and buy your prescription drugs at a greatly reduced price. In order to get a free discount prescription drug card just go to Google and put, " Free Prescription Drug Card " in the search box at Google.
Prescription Drugs , Four Dollar Price List
Some stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Walgreen's have a list of prescription drugs that they offer for four dollars a month. Check to see what if any of your prescription drugs are on the four dollar list and if they aren't ask your doctor or doctors if they can change some or all of your prescription drugs to those on the four dollar price list.
Buy Generic When Ever Possible
Buy the generic prescription drug or drugs when ever possible. Always ask your doctor or doctors if their is a generic available for your particular prescription drug or drugs. Ask your doctor or doctors to always give you the generic when ever possible.
Samples, Be Sure To Ask For The Samples
Always ask your doctor or doctors if they have any samples of medications they are prescribing for you that they can share with you. My doctor has given me samples of my blood pressure medicines for several months now.
Always Price Shop And Check Prices.
If you are on prescription drugs for which there are no generics available for always do price shopping. Call several of the larger Pharmacists in your area and ask for the price on your medicine. Be sure to have your prescription handy so you have all the needed information when you ask for a price. Don't just use one Pharmacy and never check prices at other drug stores. Always check prices.
Prescription Drug Help May Be Available.
You way be able to get Prescription Drug help at Needy Meds or at the Partnership For Prescription Medicines. Be sure that you read and understand both sites well. Both sites offer a lot of valuable information and they can help you save a lot of money at both sites. Any time that you can save any amount of money on your prescription drugs is a great day. So be sure to check out both sites carefully.
Make Needed Life Style Changes To Save Money In The Future.
I know this is a lot easier to write down than to do but maybe just maybe there are some important life style changes you need to make now in order not to need to purchase expensive prescription drugs down the road. Walking can be a great exercise. Its a great low impact exercise and you really can walk yourself thin. If you get healthier and lose weight you may need fewer prescription drugs. I have had a lot of success with walking and losing weight. You really should check out, " Losing Thirty Pounds In 30 Days ".
Eye Glasses And Eye Exams
You may be able to get free eye exams and even free used eye glasses from your local Lions Club. Just give them a call and see what they have available in your area.
What About Your Local Health Department
Be sure you call or visit your local Health Department and see what services you can obtain at your local Health Department. Be sure you know and understand what you qualify for and when it is available.
Do You Qualify For Medicaid or Medicare
If you are a senior or disabled there is a good chance you qualify for either Medicaid or Medicare. Usually you can call your local Department of Social Services to see if you qualify for either or both programs.
If You Don't Know Ask.
If you have prescription drug questions write them down and the next time you visit your doctor or doctors or your local pharmacist ask your questions. There are no dumb questions. If you want to know ask.
You can use the information on this Hub Page to save money on your prescription drugs and medical care. Always do your research and see what ways you can find to save money. Saving money is especially important for those people having to live on a fixed income. If you have questions, comments, or tips you would like to post feel free to post them below. And thanks for reading my Hub Page on, " A Survival Guide For The Uninsured ".
Please Post Your Comments Now About , A Survival Guide For The Uninsured. And Thanks For Reading. Loading...
Thank you for your kind words and comment. I appreciate it. Thank you. People who can't buy their medicine really concerns me. I worry about these people especially seniors and children. And yet we continue to send large amounts of money over seas.
These are all great ideas to reduce your medical costs if you don't have health insurance. Our health department does offer free immunizations, and there are community medical centers that charge for doctor's and dentist's visits on a sliding scale based on income. Some of my friends also recommend calling the urgent care center to see if they can help you. And some of them go to the emergency room, which I think is a sad way to use the resources, but it is an available option if you are desperate.
Good info. Voted up and useful.
Thanks I appreciate the kind words and the comment.
Doctor Kristy Level 2 Commenter 5 months ago
This is a great, informative article. Very comprehensive.