The idea of getting medical assistance without health insurance is nerve wracking. Healthcare seems to only grow in expense year to year and it can be difficult to find an affordable policy to cover you and your family. However, there are some circumstances where you must seek medical attention no matter what. In this case, what will happen if you have to go to the hospital but don’t have insurance? 

First, hospitals will not turn you away because you do not have health insurance. This is a common misconception. If you go to a hospital for treatment, the healthcare professionals there are obligated to provide care to you whether you are insured or not. 

This doesn’t mean that you are not responsible for your hospital bills, however. If you visit the hospital without insurance, you may be billed directly for the expenses such as emergency medical costs, treatment, x-rays, prescription drugs and more. Outside of an emergency, you can typically ask about how much certain procedures and expenses will be so that you have an idea of how much you will be expected to pay. Of course, in an emergency, you won’t always be able to ask before a procedure or surgery is done. 

Ask About Saving Money 

You should always ask your hospital about ways to save money, especially if you are uninsured. In most cases, you can set up monthly payments for a hospital bill rather than paying them all at once. Many hospitals offer financial assistance programs. Applying for one of these programs may also put a pause on bill collectors.  

Instead of visiting a hospital, you may also visit an urgent care center for non-emergencies. Urgent care centers can provide medical assistance often for a lesser cost, especially when compared to expenses from going to the ER. An urgent care medical professional can also advise you on whether or not you need to visit an ER for additional care. 

No matter whether you have insurance or not, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an injury or accident.  

Make sure to shop around and speak with insurance agents about finding an affordable health insurance policy. Often, it is more cost effective to carry health insurance than to attempt to pay for all of your healthcare needs out of pocket. Speak with an insurance agent and compare quotes.