Rising deductibles, high copays, and inconvenient referrals are causing many to ask, do I need health insurance? Health insurance is a good idea if you are older or at risk for certain health conditions. Another bonus to having health insurance is that the company connects you with a network of recommended doctors. It could also save you money on doctor visits.
But with some research, you can find doctors that provide quality service ad don’t charge an arm and a leg. This article will explain how you can find reliable, affordable healthcare in your area without insurance.
How Do I Know If a Doctor is Reliable?
Your first concern will be finding a doctor you can count on. Here are some signs that tell you if the doctor you are considering is reputable.
Check the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website to determine if the doctor is licensed and board certified. The site will also provide information on their educational background, telling you whether malpractice or disciplinary actions were brought against them.
Length of Practice
The time a doctor has been in practice may be a concern for some people. Some may want a young doctor, new to the industry and in tune with modern practices. Others will prefer a provider that’s older and more experienced.
You may also look at how long the provider has been in business in relation to their age. For example, if they are 50 but have only been in business for ten years, it could interrupt practice.
Customer Reviews
Nowadays, almost every business has online reviews you can look at to determine the type of service they provide, and doctors are no exception. If a doctor has positive patient feedback, that’s a good sign.
Hospital Affiliations
If you have a preferred hospital, you may want to find a doctor with privileges to practice there.
Involvement in Research
Not all doctors participate in medical research, but if they are affiliated with academic or university medical centers, there’s a good chance they do. If they are involved in research specific to your condition, they are likely to be up to date on the latest treatments. It could also mean pharmaceutical companies are paying them to make biased recommendations.
You can find out if a doctor is involved in research by googling their name along with the word ‘publication’ or ‘research.’ You may also find out if the manufacturer is paying them.
Personal Referrals
Friends’ and relatives’ opinions can go a long way. Ask your close acquaintances if they have been seeing doctors they can recommend. A trusted referral will get you headed in the right direction.
How to Find Affordable Doctors
Finding affordable care is another primary concern. Fortunately, there are free and low-cost clinics in many areas. Here’s a bit of information on how to find them.
Community Health Centers: Often referred to as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHQs), government clinics allow you to pay on a sliding scale. This could mean free for some clinics. They exist to help uninsured patients access care. Migrant health centers, homeless shelter health centers, and county health departments fall under the community health center umbrella.
Free Clinics: You may also find free clinics in your area run by independent providers. Volunteers typically staff them. While they are classified as free clinics, some may charge on a sliding scale.
Retail Clinics: Retail clinics can typically be found inside a drug or grocery store. They are usually staffed by mid-level professionals like nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants. They are designed to provide accessible and affordable care for primary injuries and illnesses. They are a cheaper alternative to urgent care facilities.
Try UBERDOC
UBERDOC is another option for affordable, quality healthcare.
UBERDOC offers reasonably priced care to insured and uninsured individuals. Visit our website to find specialists representing a variety of practices. All our providers have been vetted to ensure they are up to our high standards. Most visits are just $250.
Our platform is convenient to use. You can avoid wait times by scheduling appointments directly through our website. Our providers reserve appointments for our customers, so you can usually see a doctor in 1-3 days.
Finding a doctor without insurance can be challenging. UBERDOC makes it easy by connecting you with skilled providers offering affordable services. Visit us online to find out more about what we have to offer.
