Visiting a doctor prior to getting US health insurance?

[buffertortoise 0]

Hey everyone,

I am currently in the US and having some health issues and would like to visit a doctor. However, I do not have any US health insurance and will not have any until my fiancee and I are married. Does anyone know where I can see a doctor for free or for a low fee? I am located in Los Angeles and have looked at the L.A. free clinic online but I think you have to have a special card issued by the government that shows you do not have the financial means to get insurance.

Could anyone really help me out and give me suggestions of somewhere I could go?

Thanks a lot,

Buffertortoise

[motu 6]

Contact the docs in your area and tell them that you can not afford health insurance and then ask them what they will charge you for the treatment - most doctors collect about half of what they bill the insurance companies (for example they may charge $200 for a medical exam but the insurance co only pays them $85). Many will charge you even lower than that (they avoid doing paperwork and save money when paid in cash - my sister who is a doctor often did this - she is retiring in one week). And ask them to give you samples of medications - they often have it and will give you free medicines. Good Luck

[*JG* 2]

Or a clinic. There are public health clinics that charge you on a sliding scale depending on what you can afford.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Try to figure out what is the county hospital in your area. Contact them and explain your situation and ask for assistance. They will be able to direct you to free or low cost healthcare.

[reeses16 8]

We had a similar situation. We ended up having to go to the emergency room. Thank God the hospital had a finacial aid department. We provided them some basic financial information, and they will bill us on a sliding scale.

Depending on where you live try an urgent care clinic, they charge $100-$150 and are usually open late hours, and run by a private physician. At least we have them in Louisiana; in Seattle the "urgen care clinic" turned out to be the ER. But it worked out. We'd called community clinic etc. and they were all closing (it was late friday afternoon) or could take in 2 weeks etc.