Scoring High in the Health Resources Game

Brenda from Pennsylvania commented in this Spring’s bp Magazine’s Mailbag, “…I’d love [bp Magazine] even more if I could read about people who are financially ruined and how they manage to get help when they neither qualify for government help nor can afford medications”.

While I don’t know Brenda’s specific situation or how things came to be, I empathize with Brenda’s concerns through my own somewhat parallel experiences.  It is and has been infuriating.

But there are a few things I’ve figured out that have helped me:

• I got an indemnity health plan. This is not insurance. They pay $X for an issue, no more, no less.  It’s not ideal, but it does help with med co-pays, general doctor visits and emergencies.
• Apply for the Federal Pre-Existing Condition Plan; you actually may be approved.
• I have leaned on others for resources.  Not easy to do, but real friends can help with little stuff. My sister sends me the name-brand clothing she no longer wants.
• I don’t spend money on anything that isn’t absolutely required.
• I have money in annuities instead of life insurance. Talk to a financial planner.
• I finally had high enough medical bills within a certain time frame that our state assistance program funded just those bills and gave me three months insurance.
• See if your state has a “High Risk Pool”, programs designed to insure the uninsurable. These are state run in general, not federal.
• Many pharmaceutical companies are helping patients get the drugs they need. Your psychiatrist can help direct you and write the Rx.
• Hit the library.  Get on the internet. There is so much information on getting out of ruin, and getting financial help from remote resources, charities, and “angels”.

Readers, if you have more ideas and thoughts, jump into posting below!