As per a study done in 2018, up to 27.5 million people living in the U.S. do not hold health insurance. These figures clearly represent that a staggering 8.5% of the total population doesn’t have insurance.
As a consequence, a lot of people need to face high medical debts and bills, which can stand in the way of getting quality healthcare. However, on the basis of the location of a person, they might be able to gain access to reduced-cost services. If you are wondering if you can visit OBGYN clinics in Memphis, Tennessee, without insurance, here is all you need to know.
Check if the clinic provides Medicaid
Many health centers in Memphis, Tennessee, are able to offer medical care on the basis of Medicaid. Medicaid is a kind of public health insurance. You may be eligible for Medicaid if your household income falls to a certain level or if you are a U.S. citizen. However, keep in mind that the coverage of Medicaid will depend on the state you live in. You can check your eligibility to avail of Medicaid and the covered services.
Check if the clinic provides charity care
Many states have clinics that provide “charity care”. Charity care is a form of medical care offered at reduced rates. You may be able to apply for charity care. Your eligibility will be based on your assets and income. Many states also offer charity care automatically. To discover these options, you should contact the insurance department of your state or talk to the financial assistance department or a social worker at the clinic.
See if you can get OBGYN services at a community health clinic
There are many nonprofit health centers available throughout the U.S. If you don’t have insurance, you can check if the medical staff at such clinics might offer some kind of care for free.
Many times these clinics may also charge fees on sliding scales after taking your financial situation into account. You can check if your community health clinic can provide you with an OBGYN in Memphis since many times, they might not offer you particular health services.
Based on the clinic, you should check if the clinic offers the given services:
- radiology services
- behavioral health benefits, such as specialized care for eating disorders or alcohol use disorder
- dental care
- ongoing medical care for particular chronic conditions such as asthma, heart diseases, and diabetes
- different kinds of preventive care
- family planning services
- vaccinations
- perinatal and prenatal care
- basic medical care
If you can find community health centers that offer OBGYNs in Memphis, you might be able to gain access to low-cost or free prescriptions.
Urgent care centers or walk-in clinics
In an urgent care center or a walk-in clinic, you may be able to get access to some reduced-cost or even free care if you don’t have any health insurance. It may be an excellent idea to get in touch with healthcare centers and local clinics ahead of time to ask about their fees and different options for an OBGYN in Memphis for people that do not hold insurance. A lot of times, you may be able to get access to quality healthcare services in an OBGYN clinic in Memphis. Many clinics offer excellent OBGYN services at an affordable price for people without any medical insurance. It is an excellent idea to do some research and explore the costs involved.
Explore the potential costs of visiting an OBGYN doctor
The costs of visiting an OBGYN in Memphis may significantly vary based on the kind of doctor you can get a consultation from, the kind of treatment you can avail of, the medical problem that you need to be taken care of, and actually the area where your clinic is located.
Based on a recent survey, the average costs of visiting an OBGYN in Memphis can range anything from around $50 to–200. However, you need to contact the clinic to check the exact costs. You should also ask the clinic about additional prescriptions and tests needed and the total costs that you may need to incur based on your treatment.
Strategies to help you in visiting an OBGYN in Memphis without insurance
If you need medical care and you do not have medical insurance, here are some strategies that can help:
Mention your insurance status to the clinic staff beforehand
Hospitals, clinics, and doctors may be able to offer some reduced fees for people who don’t hold any medical insurance. To avail of these reduced costs, you should ensure that you disclose your insurance status to the staff right before your appointment.
Research on the involved costs in the area
The fees for OBGYN treatment vary considerably by location. Before you need to make an appointment, it is an excellent idea to talk to the clinics and research the average fees involved in making an appointment.
This research can also be an excellent way to discover clinics that are more affordable.
Talk to your doctor about prescribing generic medications instead of branded medication
Generic medication is typically less expensive as compared to branded medication. Generic medicines have the same ingredients as branded medicines. They work in the same way and have the same benefits and risks.
Ask your clinic for a payment plan
Clinics and various healthcare centers might also offer some affordable payment plans for people who need to manage large medical bills.
If possible, pay your bills in advance
Many OBGYN clinics in Memphis offer a reduced or a discounted rate for patients who make the payment in advance. This is a very flexible option if you have a planned medical procedure.
Conclusion
Despite government efforts such as the extremely popular Affordable Care Act, health insurance costs still remain prohibitively high for a lot of people that are from the United States. Low-cost or free healthcare might be available in specific locations to help you in reducing your costs further. Additionally, to reduce the costs of consulting an OBGYN in Memphis by opting for some affordable clinics.