True, but for some people paying cash for all their medical services is not an option - especially for many seniors already forced into Medicare. Prescriptions and lab work are some of the most frequent expenses that require coverage to help pay the cost. Back in the day, many providers had a small lab on site that could do some basic lab work. Maybe that would be an option as they expand and offer basic services on a subscription. It would be a start for sure and we must begin somewhere.
I operated without medical insurance for years and actually faired much better. On the rare occasion I did become ill, I payed for an office visit and walked out with meds my provider stashed - which is a common practice to cover patients that do not have insurance.
And many people don’t know most drug companies have indigent programs where they will pay 100% for those who are unable to pay. There are also free health clinics in certain areas.
Hopefully moving forward our world will become a much better place for everyone.
I like the idea of privately run neighborhood clinics that have some basic services like lab and pharmacy all located at the same site. Free clinics unfortunately are usually grant supported which means government interference. Many are connected with a Medical School to help train interns - not that this is a bad thing. Medical students can be very conscientious and take their time in addition to all the supervision that takes place. The income requirements are usually very low, like less than a thousand a month to qualify for free services. Otherwise they charge by a sliding fee scale which for many turns out to be not so affordable. I used to volunteer at one of these clinics one day a week for almost two years. It was always crowded and served many in the immigrant community. I learned a lot there because of the conditions that presented in these low income populations that often have neglected health issues. Many of us volunteered our services at these clinics otherwise there was no way they could remain open. There is a huge unmet need for these types of clinics. I really hope we can create a new affordable way to deliver medical services to the public without the strings attached from insurance and the government.
True, but for some people paying cash for all their medical services is not an option - especially for many seniors already forced into Medicare. Prescriptions and lab work are some of the most frequent expenses that require coverage to help pay the cost. Back in the day, many providers had a small lab on site that could do some basic lab work. Maybe that would be an option as they expand and offer basic services on a subscription. It would be a start for sure and we must begin somewhere.
I operated without medical insurance for years and actually faired much better. On the rare occasion I did become ill, I payed for an office visit and walked out with meds my provider stashed - which is a common practice to cover patients that do not have insurance.
And many people don’t know most drug companies have indigent programs where they will pay 100% for those who are unable to pay. There are also free health clinics in certain areas.
Hopefully moving forward our world will become a much better place for everyone.
I like the idea of privately run neighborhood clinics that have some basic services like lab and pharmacy all located at the same site. Free clinics unfortunately are usually grant supported which means government interference. Many are connected with a Medical School to help train interns - not that this is a bad thing. Medical students can be very conscientious and take their time in addition to all the supervision that takes place. The income requirements are usually very low, like less than a thousand a month to qualify for free services. Otherwise they charge by a sliding fee scale which for many turns out to be not so affordable. I used to volunteer at one of these clinics one day a week for almost two years. It was always crowded and served many in the immigrant community. I learned a lot there because of the conditions that presented in these low income populations that often have neglected health issues. Many of us volunteered our services at these clinics otherwise there was no way they could remain open. There is a huge unmet need for these types of clinics. I really hope we can create a new affordable way to deliver medical services to the public without the strings attached from insurance and the government.
Well said.
Thanks