Options for helping a friend without medical insurance?

DVG

I have this friend, Kim, who in recent months started having really bad migraines and even black outs here and there. It started off happening intermittently, and I had thought perhaps she was just stressed out due to some money issues she was having and her body was weirding things up a bit as a result, and then making it worse when she went through a bad breakup a couple weeks ago.

She has since told me that her doctors once suspected she had a tumor, but when they checked all was hunky dorey, and she got better. I'm worried that the symptoms she is presenting currently might be a sign of just that and she needs to get checked out again.

The complication is she doesn't have medical insurance, at all, and doesn't have anyone who can help her pay for whatever tests or care she may need. I know hospitals have to treat you even if you can't pay, but I don't know how far that goes for non-emergency care (IE a checkup because weird symptoms are presenting)

So basically, what are my options for helping someone with no money and no insurance get the necessary tests done?

ViolentChemistry

Just because they have to treat you doesn't mean they can't or won't bill you. I know that doesn't make things any easier but I'd hate for you to go get your friend checked out and then get sideswiped by a huge bill.

dispatch.o

Contact the hospital and ask if they have any sort of assistance for someone with low income and no insurance who needs immediate medical attention. Most hospitals have a large pool of money set aside for people who can't (for whatever reason) pay their medical expenses.

This is not the same as just going and not paying, this money is there specifically for people to apply for and use. I worked with someone who had shoulder surgery and after some paperwork and stuff, didn't have to pay much at all. I would suggest contacting a non-profit hospital first, as the for-profit ones tend to be a little thinner on the assistance.

Feral

dispatch.o wrote: »

Contact the hospital and ask if they have any sort of assistance for someone with low income and no insurance who needs immediate medical attention. Most hospitals have a large pool of money set aside for people who can't (for whatever reason) pay their medical expenses.

Agreed 100%.

Also, she should contact the health department of the county she resides in. You can usually find their number just by Googling it. They might be able to help her get some inexpensive insurance. If she's low-income, she might qualify for Medicaid, and her county office can help her get on that.

lifeincognito

I suggest you search for free clinics in your area. I know Philadelphia has quite a few, but we seem to be a sort of health care hub and larger than Columbus I'd imagine. Still it is your capital city so it should have something in the way of free health care available.