How to Financially Plan for Health Emergencies
Posted by : Premraj | Posted on : Thursday, May 18, 2017
DELICIOUS
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REDDITYou’re having a friendly game of football with your friends and break and ankle, you wake in the middle of the night with an excruciating toothache. These things can happen very unexpectedly. If you have a health or dental emergency and you’re not covered by insurance your medical bills could be very large. Here is some advice to help you prepare financially for health and dental emergencies.
How to Get Medical Help When You’re Uninsured
Contrary to popular belief, there are ways you can get affordable medical treatment even if you’re uninsured. Here is a rundown.
Primary care physician: Most primary care doctors will accept cash if you don’t have insurance coverage. It’s actually better for them because they don’t have to deal with all the insurance claims. Just make sure to check with your doctor beforehand and get it all in writing.
Direct primary care provider: Track down a doctor in your area who practices as a direct primary care provider. This means you pay them a flat fee each month and this covers you for all the preventative and primary care you may need. The monthly fee varies but some providers offer this service for as low as $50, which is probably less than your cell phone bill.
Urgent care: It shouldn’t take you long to find an urgent care center and they’re much less expensive that the Emergency Room if your situation is not an emergency. They are generally open after normal doctors’ office hours and during weekends.
Walk-in clinics: These are a great option if you have no insurance because they are designed for travelers, the uninsured and the underinsured. They are often found inside a pharmacy or grocery store. They are staffed by certified doctors and in some cases have the facilities to perform routine lab work.
How to Get Dental Help When You’re Uninsured
Dental discount plan: Enroll with a dental savings plan. You pay an annual fee and in return, you get a range of discounted rates from different dental healthcare providers. Discounts can range from 10 to 60 percent off basic and emergency services.
Find a dentist who will take cash: Many dentists understand how painful a dental emergency can be and will be willing to help you even if you don’t have insurance. They can do this by putting you on a dental payment plan so you can pay for your treatment in installments after you have received it. Find out more about getting emergency dental work with no insurance.
Prepare for a dental emergency: Knowing what to do if you encounter a dental emergency can save you money and prevent a lot of pain. Here’s how to be prepared for these emergencies:
– A knocked tooth: If you have a knocked out tooth, these can almost always be saved. Keep it moist by placing it between your gum and your cheek or in some milk until you can get to the dentist.
– A cracked or fractured tooth: Rinse your mouth out thoroughly with warm water. Use a cold compress on your face to prevent swelling. Get to a dentist asap.
– A toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss or a water pick to remove any food which may be caught between your teeth. If the pain persists or worsens call your dentist.
– A broken jaw: If you think you may have broken your jaw, apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling and go to your dentist or ER straight away.
– Use the services of dental students: Every student at dental school needs hands-on experience before they graduate. You can assist them in their endeavors while receiving quality dental care at a reduced cost. There’s no need to worry if you will be in safe hands, they are always supervised by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist.
– Save for a dental emergency: If you’re getting older and you don’t have dental insurance, it might be wise to start a savings fund in case you have a dental emergency. Just put away a little money each month so you know it’s there when you need it.
– Avoid dental emergencies: You can avoid dental accidents by wearing a mouth guard when you are playing sports, don’t crunch on ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels and don’t use your teeth to open things.
Make the most of these tips and be prepared for health and dental emergencies so they don’t ruin you financially.
