• Money
    • Budget
    • Shop
    • Travel
    • Stories
  • Career
    • Advice
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Freelance
    • Small Business
  • Investing
    • General
    • IRA + 401K
    • Stocks + Bonds
    • Retirement Planning
    • Estate
  • The Basics
    • Student Loans
    • Credit Cards
    • Debt
    • Taxes
    • More
  1. Home
  2. The Basics
  3. Insurance
  4. Can I Still Go to My Doctor Without Having Insurance?

Can I Still Go to My Doctor Without Having Insurance?

May 11, 2011
By: Eric Feigenbaum
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

Losing health insurance can be a frightening prospect. With the high costs of health care, millions of Americans struggle to afford their care. Luckily, of the many difficulties loss of health insurance presents, having to part with your physician isn't necessarily one of them. Depending on your finances and the arrangements you can work out with your doctor, you may continue with a provider you know and trust.

...
Talk to your doctor about rates for those paying cash.

Law

There's no law to prevent you from seeing any doctor. In fact, so long as you're able to pay for visits, you may find you have even greater flexibility and choice than under an insurance plan. After all, physicians don't usually accept all insurance plans, but just about everyone accepts cash. Even health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that run their own medical facilities such as Kaiser Permanente and Group Health Cooperative allow nonmembers to see physicians by paying cash.

Affordability

The hardest part about seeing a doctor without insurance is the cost. If you're used to a physician with a private practice in a nice community, chances are her services don't come cheap. Although you can technically remain a patient, your budget might force you to change to a lower-cost provider such as a community medical clinic or county hospital.

Arrangements

Insurance companies usually require doctors to have an official cash rate. Insurance reimbursement systems are based on what a doctor would bill a patient paying cash. In theory, a doctor is not supposed to bill insurance at a higher rate than a cash paying patient. However, there are doctors who bend rules. Talk to your physician or her office manager about a fee that you can afford to pay. Often, when doctors know a patient is uninsured, they'll work out an arrangement to help.

New Insurance

If you find yourself uninsured, look into all your options. Federal, state and county governments have coverage options for those in need. Depending on your finances and household size, you or your family members may be eligible for Medicaid or county health department services. Not every doctor accepts these forms of insurance, but yours might -- and if she does, you may save yourself a lot of money.

Show Comments

Related Articles

How Long Do I Need to Keep an Insurance EOB?

How Long Do I Need to Keep an Insurance EOB?

The Basics
Insurance
By: J.E. Cornett
Advantages & Disadvantages of HMO Insurance

Advantages & Disadvantages of HMO Insurance

The Basics
Insurance
By: Neil Kokemuller

PARTNER CONTENT

20 Common Money Mistakes to Avoid

20 Common Money Mistakes to Avoid

POS vs. HMO for Health Insurance

POS vs. HMO for Health Insurance

The Basics
Insurance
By: Neil Kokemuller
Dr. John Watson Might Be The Ultimate Freelancer

Dr. John Watson Might Be The Ultimate Freelancer

Career
Freelance
By: Mary Kate Miller
Does Medicare Pay for Home Health Care?

Does Medicare Pay for Home Health Care?

The Basics
Insurance
By: Karen Farnen

Get Weekly Savings& Finance Tips.

  • Money
  • Career
  • Investing
  • The Basics
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
© 2018 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get Weekly Savings
& Finance Tips.

Money Made Easier.

Please enter a valid email.