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So how did I find myself in the enviable position I’ve been describing the past few days? Poop-stained awnings, convicts, felons? Why, it was through my cheap health care of course. Now, I know the tone of my last few blogs has been a bit negative (and hopefully humorous), but I will say that I have sought cheap health care in two major cities and ultimately the service I end up with is as good as when I’ve had insurance through employers. It just takes a little more gumption or “stick-to-it-iveness” to get good service through cheap insurance or a government assisted program. Really, like in all things in life, you are your biggest advocate, so you have to put in a little work to make it work for you.

Luckily, (or sadly) with the rise of health care costs, the need for affordable health care has risen as well. When I first sought this out 10 years ago there weren’t nearly as many options. But today, the options seem to be multiplying.

Tip 1

When starting your search use keywords like, “government assisted” or “government subsidized” or the word “program.” If you merely type in, “affordable health care” or “cheap health care” thousands of options will come up that are advertising to be cheap or affordable but ultimately are not. You want to find and enroll in a government assisted program, not apply for cheap health care through a private company.

*Note* Often government assisted programs are delivered by private companies, making it the same as getting private health insurance but at a reduced cost.

Tip 2

When you find a program you are interested in, call it. Do not spend a ton of time filling out online applications. I’ve spent hours online listing medications and medical history only to get to the end to find I do not qualify. So to save yourself some time, get a live body on the phone and follow Tip 3.

Tip 3

Once you have the program you’re interested in on the telephone the first thing you should do is describe your financial situation to them. Even if they try to start getting your medical history first (which they will), assert yourself and ask them if their program is right for people making $xxxx.xx dollars a month. Some people get uncomfortable flapping their financials out in the breeze like this, but if you are going to succeed in getting cheap health care you have to be honest about your need. (If you don’t feel that you need it, you shouldn’t have read this far:) Most government programs have a cutoff for how much money you can make in a month or year, so save yourself some time and get it out up front.
Tip 4

If you do not qualify for a program ask the person where someone in your financial situation may try to get affordable health care. They often know. Be sure to ask about “programs” for people like you. Try to steer your search as far to the side of government as possible. This is almost always where the greatest amount of real help in affordable health care lies.

Tip 5

If you follow all leads to government programs and you still don’t make little enough money (funny to say isn’t it) then you might have to start looking into private health insurance companies. At this point you can go ahead and search the internet for “affordable health care” and “cheap health care”. Thousands of choices will come up and my advice would be to spend a little time learning about each one and then call them. Basically follow Tips 1-4 but in the private sector.

As I mentioned in my introduction, I have sought out government programs and cheap health care in two states now with quite a bit of luck. I hope my tips help and you find a situation that you can live with. Literally. Good luck and Happy Hunting!

Hans Erik
Content Marketing Director
www.Next2Friends.com
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