When we asked the families we serve about the last twelve months, one in three adults told us they skipped or delayed medical care they needed because of cost.
That empty chair in the waiting room is a checkup that didn’t happen, a prescription that didn’t get filled, or a lump that didn’t get looked at until it hurt.
What people told us
The reasons came up again and again:
- Not knowing the price ahead of time. People were afraid of a surprise bill more than the bill itself.
- Deductibles. Having insurance that doesn’t pay anything until you’ve spent thousands felt, to many people, like having no insurance at all.
- Lost wages. A daytime appointment can mean an unpaid half-day of work.
- Not knowing where to go. Many people didn’t know that community health centers and sliding-scale clinics exist near them.
What can help today
You have more options than you might think:
- Ask what it costs before you say yes. You have the right to ask for a price estimate. If you’re uninsured or paying on your own, you can ask for a good faith estimate before a scheduled service.
- Ask about sliding-scale fees. Community health centers adjust what you pay based on your income, and they see patients regardless of insurance.
- Ask about financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have financial assistance policies. Ask for the application, even after you’ve gotten a bill.
- Don’t skip the medicine. Ask about alternatives. A pharmacist can often suggest a generic or a discount program.
To find a community health center near you, search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
