JustCare

Tag: Health clinics

  • To save money on your care, consider using a free health clinic

    To save money on your care, consider using a free health clinic

    Because health insurance no longer covers large portions of people’s health care costs, millions of people with insurance are struggling to pay their premiums, deductibles, copays and costs for out-of-network care. Did you know that even if you have insurance, you may be able to save money on your care by using a free local clinic? According to Kaiser Health News, many people rely on free health clinics and these clinics are growing to meet their needs.

    There are 1200 free and charitable health clinics across the United States. Using a free clinic for your care could save you hundreds of dollars a year. If you qualify for care, you could get lower-cost prescriptions through these clinics as well as lower-cost primary medical care. Some clinics also offer mental health care and dental care.

    Many free health clinics serve the underinsured–people with health insurance whose out-of-pocket costs for premiums and deductibles amount to at least 10 percent of their income–as well as the uninsured. So, it’s worth looking into them even if you have insurance.

    The Commonwealth Fund found that in 2014 almost one in four adults under 65 were underinsured, 31 million people; people who are underinsured may have a deductible that is at least five percent of their annual income, or they may spend at least ten percent of their income on out-of-pocket costs, excluding their premiums.

    If you’re struggling to get an appointment with a doctor, using a free health clinic also may enable you to get an appointment more quickly.

    To find a free or charitable health clinic near you, visit the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.

    Here’s more from Just Care on free and low-cost care:

     
  • When you need care quickly, should you use a health clinic?

    When you need care quickly, should you use a health clinic?

    Sometimes you may need health care quickly. And, the question becomes where to go for that care. If you can’t reach your doctor, should you get treatment at a health clinic or urgent care center rather than your hospital’s emergency room? In situations that are not life-threatening and when you are not in a crisis, to save time and money, you should consider seeking care at a health clinic or urgent care center.

    Is there an FQHC near you? If you do not believe you are in an emergency situation and your doctor is not available to see you, you should consider getting care at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) if there is one near you. These health clinics are administered by the federal government and provide free and low-cost health care. Today, there are nearly 1,400 health centers providing services at 11,000 service delivery sites throughout the US.

    Is there a free or charitable health clinic near you? There are more than 1,200 free or charitable health clinics across the US. You might check to see whether there is one near you.

    What about a commercial walk-in clinic or an urgent care facility? There are more than 7,500 urgent care centers (where you can usually see a doctor) in the US today. There are also more than 2,800 commercial walk-in health clinics (where you typically see a nurse) located at pharmacies and retail stores like Walmart and Walgreens.

    Why go to an urgent care facility or walk-in clinic instead of an emergency room? If you have a common problem, such as a fever, an infection, a stomachache or a deep cut, ask yourself these questions:

    • What does my doctor recommend? Call your primary care doctor to see if he or she is available to see you. It is always best to have your primary care doctor providing your care. If that’s not possible, find out where the doctor recommends you go for treatment.
    • Is there an urgent care center or walk-in clinic near me? If so, can it provide the care I need? And, will my Medicare plan cover my care?
    • What will I pay out of pocket? The cost of your care at a walk-in clinic or urgent care center is likely to be much lower than at the local hospital emergency room or ER. However, if you have traditional Medicare, and supplemental coverage, it should cover your ER care. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan with a high deductible, your health plan may deny coverage if it decides it was not an emergency. And, even if it covers your care, you will likely save money by avoiding the ER.
    • How long am I willing to wait to get care? The wait for care may be much shorter at a health clinic or urgent care facility than at an ER.

    Keep in mind that quality of care you receive is likely to vary significantly depending upon the care you need and the skills of the health care provider delivering the care.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Local health clinics addressing unmet health care needs, driving up overall health care costs

    Local health clinics addressing unmet health care needs, driving up overall health care costs

    Over the last several years, local health clinics have been springing up to meet consumer need. Many believed these clinics could improve access to care while bringing down costs. But, a new Health Affairs study reveals that they are driving up use of health care services and, in the process, overall health care costs.

    As an alternative to hospital emergency rooms and doctors’ offices, patients can now visit health clinics in grocery stores, pharmacies and big-box stores throughout the country. These visits are far more convenient for most people and far less costly. But, they have become more than a substitute for care that would otherwise be received elsewhere. They are leading to the delivery of more health care services.

    More than six million patients use the almost 2,000 clinics across the United States each year. The clinics are meeting an untapped demand for services. People are using them who would not have gotten care had these clinics not been available. In 2012, almost six out ten clinic visits, 58 percent, were for new services.

    Rather than reducing health care spending, the clinics increased overall costs by an average of $14 a patient in 2012. Given that the U.S. spent $8927 on average per person on health care costs in $2012, the $14 seems a small amount more to pay to meet people’s health care needs.

    The jury’s still out as to the net value of these clinics. For sure, they offer convenience and a better experience and lower cost for minor health care needs than a hospital emergency room. They tend to have short wait times. These clinics also may be helping to ensure people get immunizations and other preventive services they need. So, while the clinics are increasing overall costs, they may be keeping people healthier and reducing their need for costlier care down the road.

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