Free or discounted medical services for seniors can come in handy. It might be the difference between your elderly loved one getting help, or the possibility of not being able to afford the treatment that they need,
The cost of medical bills and prescriptions skyrocket every year. If you don’t have insurance or are underinsured you can quickly rack up medical expenses that you have no way to pay. There are a lot of options out there for free or discounted medical services for seniors, but you just have to search them out.
Possible Medical Discounts for Seniors
Here are a few options that you can find to help you curb the cost of your medical services and prescriptions.
Medical Discount Cards – There are many programs available that offer you discounts on medical services and scripts. Some are free to join and others have yearly membership fees you pay to be a member. These cards can help both people who have medical insurance and people who do not. They usually have a network of doctors and pharmacies that they are affiliated with to offer you free or discount medical services for seniors.
Most offer big savings on prescriptions as well as routine care such as doctors’ visits, dental visits and even hospital or ER visits. Sometimes you will get a cheaper price on some of these services by using your medical discount card over what your insurance covers.
Discount Prescriptions – There are several ways to get discount prescriptions. You should start by checking what your local stores offer. For example, Wal-Mart has a huge list of prescriptions they sell cheaply every single day. If you are taking a medicine on the list that offers these deals, it is probably the best you will find.
Grocery stores with pharmacies usually have specials, too. For example, Publix in the South East offers free antibiotics. If you have an antibiotic prescription you just take it there and they fill it for free. So check with your local retailers to see what they may have to help you curb costs. Watch for promotions, such as moving your prescription to a new store and getting a gift card or other incentives. This can help you save, as well.
Hospital Programs – Most people don’t realize this, but most hospitals have medical plans you can join. They are usually free of charge and offer free or discounted medical services for seniors who meet certain income requirements. These programs are usually reserved for low income seniors who have chronic problems that require frequent visits for treatments.
Hospitals offer these programs to curb the amount of unpaid receivables they deal with on an annual basis for people they know are going to be coming through the door over and over again anyway. Not everyone qualifies for these programs, but if you do, it can save you a ton of money. If you have chronic issues, speak with a hospital administrator to see if your hospital offers one of these programs.
You can also speak with any of the social workers who work at the hospital. They usually have a list of resources that can help you get free or discounted medical services for seniors.
Manufacturer Drug Programs – This is again one of those little known secrets in the medical world. Almost every drug manufacturer has a program where they offer free or discounted drugs to people who meet their income requirements. Trying to find these programs isn’t easy, but it can be worth your effort in the end.
First you need to identify which manufacturers and departments to contact. They do not usually make these programs public or promote them in anyway. However, every drug manufacturer has one of them.
There are many other free or discounted medical services available for seniors. Check with your local health department. They may offer some preventative care, such as flu shots that are free of charge. Also check with other senior agencies. They often have a long list of companies and organizations that offer free or discounted medical services for seniors.
Free or Discounted Medical Services for Seniors – Conclusion
Finding free or discounted medical services for seniors can be hard work, but it is definitely worth it in the long run. Seek out help in the community to help you identify additional resources available to you locally. Above is a short list of general ways to save, but on a local level, you will find many services designed to help seniors afford the medical care and prescriptions they need to stay healthy.
If your medical bills are piling up or you know your senior loved one will probably need these services in the near future, you need to work to find these discounts. It can save you money, time and help you avoid the stress of medical bills you might not be able to pay.
