美國看病常識(15):在美國無醫保時得了大病(如癌症)怎麽辦?

問帖: 在美國如果沒有醫療保險,得了大病(如癌症)怎麽辦?

答: 首先得問一下,是你的雇主沒有提供醫保計劃給雇員還是你無法負擔?

如果以前你沒買醫療保險,你現在可能還來得及.問問雇主的人事部(HR)人員何時為公司的open enrollment period.來得及的話,抓緊時間參加一個計劃.具體的指導參見:

• Private health plans
• Types of health plans
• Other things to know about health insurance
• How to manage your health insurance

如果你負擔不起醫療保險,你可以做:

1.查電話號碼(in the government pages of your phone book or on the Internet),打電話到當地的社會服務部門(local Social Services Department).你可能有資格申請到Medicaid或其它的為低收入者提供的醫療計劃(other programs for low-income).

2.打電話到當地的公共衛生部門(local Public Health Department),那裏的社工人員(social worker)會幫你找找當地的health care programs---ask what public health services are offered in your community.他們會提供你居住區各醫院可能有的免費或低收費計劃,如:" free clinics","charity care" or "indigent care" programs.如果他們不是非常清楚各醫院的具體計劃,請別放棄,直接打電話到醫院問,ask to speak with a social worker. Hospital social workers are usually the most knowledgeable about sources of support in your community.

3.如果你附近有醫學院的教學醫院---teaching hospital(相當於國內的醫學院附屬醫院),那裏有不少free-treatment programs,可以直接打電話到醫院詢問.

4.某些醫院接收聯邦政府撥發的Hill-Burton funds的資助.這些醫院必須給無法支付醫療費用的患者(特別是癌症患者)提供一些免費的服務.Approximately 300 hospitals take part in this program. Call (800) 638-0742 or visit their Web site, www.hrsa.gov/hillburton, for a listing of Hill-Burton-obligated facilities, eligibility criteria, and frequently asked questions about the program.

5.如果你得了乳癌或宮頸癌(breast or cervical cancer),在"the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000"法規下,你可能享有更多的幫助.For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm or call [phone] 或者contacting the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information about how to get free mammograms, Pap smears, and treatment.

以下兩個網頁也有很多詳細的信息:

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

從American Cancer Society 我摘出一些有用的鏈接:

Government-funded health plans

Options for the uninsured

Financial issues: Getting help with living expenses

Prescription Drug Assistance

6.參加一個低收入的處方藥計劃: 問問你的醫生,他們知道一些便宜的處方藥計劃,some drugstores and discount stores now offer certain generic drugs at very low prices. Most of the time, these do not include cancer drugs -- although some offer tamoxifen in their programs. Even people with insurance may be able to lower their co-payments and save money by getting some of their medicines at very low cost (often $4 to $10 for each refill).

其它的幫助,See the section "Financial issues: Getting help with living expenses" for ideas on help with non-medical expenses.

 

注:以上鏈接的信息來自: Health Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient

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