What To Do If You Cannot Find Health Insurance
If, after searching and contacting health care providers, you find that you can still not find affordable health insurance cover, there are additional ways you can get help within Tennessee. Here are some resources you can use to get you help with your health cover.
How To Get Low Cost Primary Health Care
You may be able to get help at your local community health clinic. Many offer primary care services at no cost or low coast based on a sliding scale (services vs. ability to pay). They are there to provide these services to the community so this is the first place you should try. For a full list of community clinics you can use this link for the department of health and human resources or you can call (615) 329-3836 and speak directly to someone at the Tennessee Primary Care Association.
How To Get Help With Your Hospital Bills
If you find yourself in the position where you have hospital bills, but are unable to pay due to lack of insurance coverage, there is help available.
The hospital is the place to get help. They may be part of a non-profit oganization with a charter and tax status that means they required to help you. They may be part of a government mandated program to provide cover to all eligable patients. They may also have afinancial assistence programs. Whichever the case, you should do two things. Firstly, you should talk directly to the patient advocate at the hospital. It is this person;s job to help you. Secondly, you should make at least some effort to pay part of the bill. This will go a long way in helping your case and getting the balance written off.
How To Het Help With Your Prescription Costs
If you are between the ages of 19 and 64, are a resident of Tennessee, have no prescription drug coverage and classed as Low income, you will be eligible for a program called CoverRX. They have all the information at their main Cover TN website or you can call them directly at (866) 268-3786.
If you are 65 or over you can get help for you pescription drug (and other heath care) costs from the National Council of Aging. While this is primarily aimed at retired persons, they also offer services to other age groups so it is definatly worth checking out for anyone who needs health care help.
The next option is to get help through the actual drug companies themselves. At time of writing, both Pfizer and Merck have programs to help you with prescription costs. You can contact Pfizer at (866) 706-2400 and Merck through their website. Two other resources are Needy Meds and RX assist which have information on how to get help.
If you are a Veteran you may be able to get help through a VA medical facility. You should directly contact the Veterans Health Benefits Service Center at (877) 222-8387 for more information.
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