The topic of health care in the black community has been widely discussed in recent years, but recognition of the urgency has increased dramatically this month with the introduction of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. As the World Health Organization classified coronavirus as a pandemic, the black community was reminded of a painful reality.
We, as a community, are not ready. We are not immune, and we are not prepared.
Whether it’s ourselves or our family members, neighbors, friends, or co-workers, most of us know someone in our community who does not have access to adequate health care. And we also know that right now is the time to consider our options in case the unexpected happens.
Don’t wait until you experience symptoms of coronavirus or another serious health condition before you decide to get prepared. Even if you don’t have health insurance, there are still ways you can be proactive in managing the health care needs of you and your loved ones.
Get coverage.
If you can qualify and afford to get coverage, this should be your primary goal. Having coverage is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health.
See if you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. Even if you are not pregnant, a new mom, or over the age of 65, there are still circumstances that could qualify you for coverage. Click here to find the Medicaid criteria for your state, or visit this site to see if you may qualify for Medicare.
Get covered by ACA. Despite the strong political criticism that it received, the Affordable Care Act, known by many of us as Obamacare, opened doors for many people who previously could not obtain coverage. There are several options available with a wide range of monthly costs, and every option offers free annual checkups and other preventive care services. Visit the website to learn about options available now and at the next open enrollment period in October.
Try a high deductible health plan or minimum essential coverage plan. Reach out to an insurance company directly to explore costs and options to purchase coverage. High deductible health plans typically will only cover checkups and other preventive care until you satisfy a deductible that can be thousands of dollars, but this type of plan can be very beneficial if you have a serious health condition or need surgery. A minimum essential coverage plan may not cover surgeries or hospitalization at all, but it will typically pay for routine doctor visits and certain medications. These plans work very differently from each other and from traditional health insurance, but in some cases, they can literally be a lifesaver.
Get health care without coverage.
Most doctor’s offices and facilities will not turn you away if you don’t have insurance. However, you will need to plan for the level of care that you need. If you don’t have insurance, many doctor’s offices and medical facilities offer a significant discount if you pay in cash (but you usually have to ask for the discount). You can also talk to them upfront about making payment arrangements to pay for your services over the course of several months instead of all at once.
Free or income-based clinic ($). Clinics are usually located in urban communities and offer a wide range of health services to uninsured and low-income individuals. Visit freeclinics.com to find options in your area.
Telemedicine – $$. Video-call your doctor from the comfort of your home or on-the-go using your phone or computer. Visit sites like heydoctor.com and iselectmd.com to learn more about the service, and then shop around to find the option that’s best for you.
Convenience care/retail walk-in clinic – $$. These are medical clinics that treat non-life-threatening illnesses like the common cold, pink eye, and minor sprains. Services are usually performed by a nurse practitioner at a retail location, such as Minute Clinic located inside many CVS stores and RediClinic located inside some Rite Aid stores.
Primary care physician (PCP) – $$$. Also called family doctors or internal medicine doctors, PCPs focus on your overall care with the goal of keeping you as a long-term patient. This is the standard level of care where the medical doctor will learn about you and your individual health care needs to help you manage your care for the long-run.
Urgent care center – $$$$. These medical facilities offer many of the same benefits as a primary care physician, but it is not intended to develop a long-term relationship. Instead, a medical doctor will treat your urgent health care need, even if it’s relatively serious (such as a broken bone). Urgent care centers also have extended hours and convenient locations, but they are more expensive than primary care physicians.
Emergency room (ER) – $$$$$$. Emergency rooms are the most expensive option of all and should be reserved for life-threatening illnesses only. This is particularly true for people without health insurance, as the ER is only required to provide treatment for the immediate threat of death, after which time you are discharged. For instance, for a person who goes to the hospital with dangerously high blood sugar, the ER will typically lower your blood sugar and discharge you with no follow-up to keep your blood sugar under control. The ER visit will cost thousands of dollars, whereas you could receive a better level of service at a primary care physician with payment arrangements to pay out a few hundred dollars over time, and you would also receive follow-up care to help keep you healthy.
Access to health care in the black community continues to be a complex issue that will take years to address. In the meantime, use this information (and share it with your family and friends) to plan ahead to receive the care you need. Whether you are healthy and only need annual checkups or if you have a serious health condition that requires proper care and medication, having a plan for your health care can literally save your life.
