Special Report

No health insurance, now what?

Solutions hard to find, but possible

Every day, more Americans are finding themselves needing health care, but without health insurance. In Colorado alone, that’s 850,000 people.
We’ll tell you where to turn and how to find help — even if you are pregnant and uninsured. We’ll tackle how to find care urgently, and where to look for insurance. We’ll explain how paying cash saves the doctor headaches with insurance billing practices — and can save you money as well.
We’ll even show you a compelling video story on a Denver woman giving birth with a midwife, cutting the cost by two-thirds.

Read, watch, listen, or click on the links. You may be surprised at your options.

Then go to the comments section at the end of any article, and tell us your story, and your solutions. We’ll take your suggestions and add to the package.

If you need health care immediately…

If you have no health insurance, and things are getting desperate because you or loved ones are already sick, don’t give up. You may still be able to make the right decision and get checked out before your health worsens. The possibilities range from hospital emergency rooms to urgent-care clinics and “free” clinics and instant insurance programs from the government. Waiting until the situation turns critical can be a bad decision for both your health and your wallet. Figure out how to get care now.

How can I find health insurance?

Finding health insurance on your own can be complex, confusing and daunting. But the alternative could be losing your life’s savings to one sudden health problem. It’s better to dig into the possibilities, from private policies to government-subsidized programs like Medicaid. For your children, there’s real hope that you can find coverage you can afford.

Negotiate with doctors, hospitals

Don’t skip care — Doctors and hospitals offer discounts of up to half off. Colorado Public News surveyed ten doctors and hospitals in Colorado and found every one offered discounts for cash up front or for the uninsured. Use this little-known tactic and save anywhere from ten percent to 50 percent on those astonishingly high medical bills and bring them down to a size you can actually pay. Check out real examples of doctors with discounts.

Uninsured and pregnant doesn’t mean financial disaster

Having a baby with no insurance might seem like a guaranteed route to bankruptcy court, but Americans’ concern for getting babies off to the right start is making a difference. Government-subsidized insurance is easier to obtain for pregnant women. Less expensive care from a midwife is becoming more accepted.

A Gentle Beginning: Birth with a Midwife

A Denver family opens up for a fascinating and intimate look at the process of having their second child outside a hospital, in a birthing center with a midwife. Laura Thielke tells it like it really is, and lets you see the pain of her contractions and giving birth, followed by the overwhelming moment of joy when she and her husband watch their little one come into the world.

Mother puts her children first when it comes to insurance

One mother shares her story of searching for health insurance for herself and her children, 15 years after beating back cancer. Liz Barnett partially succeeded – at least her children are covered now.

Tips and links

Find a long list of links for information on getting care, insurance, and prescription drugs. And learn how working at being healthy can bring you the biggest savings of all.

By the numbers

How many Coloradans are uninsured? How many bankruptcies are caused by medical bills?