If you have a low income and need medical help, there are a variety of federal, state and local programs that can help you get the medical treatment you need. From Medicaid to free clinics in your locality, there likely is a program for you as long as you meet income and asset guidelines.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a federally funded, state-run program to provide medical coverage to certain low-income individuals and families that meet income guidelines. To get Medicaid, you must meet income guidelines and fall into an eligibility group. Eligibility groups include persons with disabilities, families with minor children and pregnant women. In addition, you can't have more than a certain amount of assets to get Medicaid. Eligibility guidelines differ from state to state.
Free Health Clinics
Many nonprofit groups and independent physician groups run health care screenings and clinics in communities. Free clinics are often limited in scope and opening hours. For example, a clinic may operate once a month on Saturdays, or it may offer only preventive screenings like mammograms and diabetes screening. To find out what health care clinics may be available in your area, you can call the United Way at 211 (see Resources). You'll be put in touch with a local United Way office that will be able to help you locate services. You can also visit the United Way website for links to local United Way offices in your area (see Resources).
Local Programs
City and county governments may offer options for health care to local individuals. You can contact your city or county health departments to find out what programs are available. For example, the city of Jacksonville, Florida, has two major programs for low-income individuals; Shands hospital contracts with the city of Jacksonville to provide indigent care for low-income households, and the Duval County health department offers a clinic card for individuals to see primary care physicians and obtain diagnostic tests.
Charity Care
If you receive care at a hospital but can't afford to pay the bill, you can ask the hospital about their charity care program. The charity care programs may be statewide, or they may be run by the individual hospitals. For example, the New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program is a statewide program that provides free or reduced care for patients at acute care hospitals. To receive charity care, you normally have to meet income requirements.
