Paycheck To Paycheck & Uninsured? Go To A Medical Clinic With Sliding Pay Scale
Based on statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.9% of adults under 65 do not have health insurance coverage. Some of these people are able to qualify for health benefits from their state if their income is low enough. However, just because someone lives paycheck to paycheck doesn't mean their income is poverty level. Here's what you need to know if you are above the poverty level but can't afford health insurance or health care.
Alarming Statistics
According to research, 66% of people who earn at least $50,000 but no more than $100,000 live paycheck to paycheck. And, 59% of Generation Z and 51% of Generation X aren't able to cover an unexpected expense of $400. People who fall in this range of being poor but not poor enough to qualify for free health insurance coverage from their state programs find themselves putting off essential medical care. Fortunately, there are medical centers for people who fall into this category.
Sliding Pay Scale
The federal government's Health Resources & Services Administration provides grants and resources to medical clinics so the clinics can provide health and dental care to people who can't get health care otherwise. Patients at these facilities provide information regarding their income and debt-to-income ratio so a payment schedule can be determined based on a predefined sliding pay scale.
If you use the services of these medical clinics, you won't be required to pay out of your pocket before you're treated for whatever ailment takes you to the clinic. You will be billed for the services, later.
Better than the Alternatives
These medical clinics that provide sliding pay scales are a good alternative to urgent care clinics and emergency departments, and much better than delaying much needed medical and dental care. Delaying your health concerns can cause more problems in the long run and doing so can be life-threatening for some medical conditions.
Most urgent care clinics require a payment up front for each visit to the urgent care clinics, which can be quite expensive when you don't have health insurance coverage. And while it's possible to be seen at your local hospital's emergency department, it's not advisable to use them as a primary care physician simply because they do not expect payment before services. The billing statement from an emergency department visit can easily be far more than affordable for someone who is living paycheck to paycheck. Look into medical clinics near you for more information.