Healthcare Expenses

The best way to afford critical medical treatment, preventive care, and prescriptions is to ensure you and your loved ones are enrolled in health insurance.

• If you do not have the option to enroll in health insurance through your employer, the government offers a marketplace of affordable plans. You can explore all of your options here. On the same website, you can also determine if you qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provide free or low-cost health insurance. 
• If you recently lost health coverage as a result of job loss, death, divorce, or other qualifying life events, you may be able to take advantage of COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This program gives workers and their families the ability to continue their group health benefits for a limited time while alternatives are found. For more information, click here.  

Even with health insurance, many struggle to pay for the medication prescribed by a health care professional.

• Download a free SingleCare Prescription Discount Card and present it to your pharmacist when picking up your next prescription. This savings card is available to anyone, regardless of health insurance, and can help you save on any prescribed medication. You can use the search on the SingleCare website to find out more about how much you may save on your medication.
• RxAssist is a nationally recognized, web-based medication assistance resource center. Established in 1999 with funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, RxAssist gives providers, advocates, consumer and caregivers comprehensive, up-to-date information in an easy to use format. Search the RxAssist database to locate prescription savings for brand name and generic drugs. 

Even if you have health insurance, many plans do not provide sufficient coverage for all healthcare needs, or you may have trouble locating a provider near you that accepts your insurance.

• You can contact 211 to learn about low-cost or free health services in your area.
• Search for a nearby Health Center that provides medical options on a sliding scale according to your ability to pay using this link. Health Centers offer a variety of services including medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care.

Treatment for mental health or substance use disorders may not be sufficiently covered by your insurance provider. If you have questions about what is and is not covered, or what is required by law, start with this resource.

• If you are looking for substance use or other mental health services, you can use the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) online search tool. After searching by location, click "More Information" about a particular site and scroll to the Payment Information section to see which insurance is accepted and whether the provider offers payment assistance.
• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is another resource to help find lower-cost mental health and counseling options available in your local community and online.

• Millions of children and teens qualify for free or low-cost health and dental coverage through Medicaid & the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn about coverage options for your family or review enrollment information for Children’s Health Insurance: Get Kids Covered in Medicaid or CHIP here. 

• You can enroll in or change plans due to the COVID-19 emergency through August 15, or see if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Enrollment information for adults during the ACA Special Enrollment Period through August 15 AND regular Open Enrollment Nov 1 – Jan 30, 2022 can be found here.

The Pet Help Finder locator enables all to find financially friendly veterinary care, pet food and supplies, temporary pet housing, grooming, and behavior and other resources such as transportation help—to support the pet family. The locator brings together private practices, non-profit organizations, funders, veterinary center chains, voucher programs and others under one supportive platform.  Pet Help Finder lists many non-profit organizations that offer free services as well.