Get help before medical bills put you in debt.
According to the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, the results of a 2010 survey show that 47 percent of the Pennsylvanians surveyed reported unexpected medical bills as the reason for their homes going into foreclosure. If you are overwhelmed by medical debts or are a low-income resident of Pennsylvania who needs help paying for medical bills, the state has several options available.
Medicaid
You may qualify for medical assistance from the state if you are sick or disabled and meet the low-income guidelines. If you need help paying back medical bills, you may be eligible for coverage dating back three calendar months before the month you first begin receiving Medicaid. You can apply for benefits by completing an application online. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Medical Assistance Programs in Harrisburg if you have questions about eligibility. For hospital bills older than four months, contact the hospital where you received treatment and ask whether you qualify for free care under the hospital's charity care policy. Hospitals that take advantage of tax breaks or accept grants from the government are required to provide some charity care to residents in the community.
CHIP
If you have children aged 18 and younger who are uninsured, they may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through the Children's Health Insurance Program. Although the federal government funds the program, each state is responsible for administering its own. Depending on your family's annual household income and how many individuals reside in the home, your children may qualify for free or reduced-cost health insurance through CHIP.
Free or Reduced-Cost Care
Sometimes local health care professionals who want to give back to the community offer free or reduced-cost medical care to area individuals. Free clinics often specialize in the medical services they provide. Eligibility requirements to receive free or low-cost care can vary widely. Most free clinics base eligibility on a percentage of the local poverty level. Annual income and family size are used to determine this. Specific medical services are often available through nonprofit agencies and government-sponsored programs. You may qualify for free or reduced-cost medical care even if you are not eligible for state medical assistance. Many programs provide medical services to both low- and moderate-income uninsured children and adults. Free or sliding-scale public health clinics usually provide medications, child immunizations and radiology and lab services to individuals who qualify.
Discounts on Medical Services
Some physicians and hospitals offer discounts on medical bills to patients who do not have health insurance and have to pay their medical bills out of pocket. In the event you are underinsured and your medical insurance only pays a portion of your medical costs, you may qualify to have the remaining balance forgiven or only have to pay a lesser amount than what you actually owe. Talk to your health care provider and explain the situation.
