Health care
is expensive. In tough economic times people too often let their health slip because they can't afford to take care of it. If you are a California resident who can't afford health insurance coverage, there may be options available that are free. You just need to take the time to look into them.
Medicare
Medicare, if you qualify, provides cheaper, if not free, health care and is available to people 65 or older, or to those who are disabled. If you're eligible to apply for Medicare, then you may be able to get at least some basic health care services for free, and you will have a deductible for many other health services that you simply can't afford to pay out of pocket. Not everyone qualifies, but it's worth looking into. Simply contact the nearest Social Security Administration office to apply.
Health Resources and Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration, a federal organization that is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, allows you to search its website (www.hrsa.gov) for nearby free clinics in California. It is important to keep in mind that many of these clinics, rather than offering free services, use sliding scales. So it's important to determine what's expected of you financially before you visit the clinics.
California Department of Health Care Services
Every state has a Department of Health Care Services, and its goal is to provide residents with resources they need. The California DHCS lists available programs where certain health care services may be found for free, and it helps residents locate clinics and health care providers that match their needs as well as their abilities to pay. This includes programs for children, Medi-Cal (California's government assisted health care program), mental health care programs and programs to help transition from homelessness. While the organization may not offer free health care itself, it does collect all of the information on locations that do, and it operates as an effective guide.
The Affordable Health Care Act
The Affordable Health Care Act, popularly referred to as Obamacare, has offered a variety of options for the public. This includes children up to the age of 27 being allowed to use their parent's insurance and opens restrictions on pre-existing conditions for insurance coverage. It also offers options to those that need to find free health care, particularly preventative health care. Simply go to www.healthcare.gov and provide the information requested to be directed to cheap and free health care options in California.
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