What to Do When You’re Unemployed and Sick
June 15, 2009
By Moria K. Byrne
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YahooMyWebThe only situation worse than being sick is being sick and unemployed. Don’t worry — you do have options. Before you see a doctor, save yourself time and money and become an educated patient. First, do some detective work. Write down any unusual health symptoms you’ve experienced lately. Then, look for possible causes. Did you start taking a new medication? A new diet? A new exercise routine? Your symptoms may be result of muscle strain, an allergy or a side-effect from a new medication.
If you are taking a new medication and drink alcohol or smoke occasionally, check the label on your prescription. Some medicines cause nasty side-effects when mixed with alcohol or nicotine.
You’ve determined that you simply have a cold or flu virus. Pill-popping over-the-counter medication shouldn’t be your only treatment regimen. Watch your symptoms. Do they improve with OTC medication, stay the same or get worse? If symptoms persist for more than two to three days, go to your doctor’s office or a clinic. Most importantly, don’t ignore your symptoms to save money. Resistance to spending money on doctor’s visits can end up costing you a fortune in the end: expensive hospital visits and tests. Women should consult their doctor about persistent illnesses if they have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
When you go to the doctor’s office, be forewarned that you will also pay significantly higher fees per visit as an uninsured patient. Before going to your doctor’s office, call and ask if she will charge your previous co-pay rate. For people with pre-existing conditions, you have the right to see your physician even if you are uninsured. According to current federal legislation, doctors are obligated to treat any of their patients “in the middle of a course of treatment for a chronic or disabling condition.”
If your doctor won’t accept uninsured patients, you can also use an urgent care center or a walk-in clinic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources has a database of health clinics and doctors in your area. Also, some public health departments offer free or discounted medical services, especially immunizations, so check your county health department’s Web site or call them for further information.
When you go to your doctor’s office or clinic, bring your list of symptoms with you. Write down any questions. Be sure to tell your doctor about pre-existing illnesses and any medications you’re currently taking. Most importantly, don’t be shy. If you think that you might be experiencing depression due to your job loss, tell your doctor. Aches and pains, sleep disorders and migraine headaches are also symptoms of depression. The more information that your doctor has, the easier it will be for her to make an accurate diagnosis.
If the doctor gives you a prescription, ask for a generic version of the drug. The Food and Drug Administration approves generic versions of new drugs every year to help save consumers money. You can also ask your doctor if she has any free samples of the medication. Drug companies often send doctors free samples to promote their product. Just make sure the drug hasn’t passed the expiration date.
In a recent blog entry for WebMD Blog, Dr. Roger Moser wrote: “Many chain pharmacies give medication discounts for certain commonly used prescriptions.” Dr. Moser recommended comparison shopping before purchasing a prescription. “A prescription that costs $60 in one pharmacy may only be $18 at another,” Dr.Moser wrote.
More and more people are turning to the Internet for free medical advice. Web MD has a fabulous symptom checker, which can help you determine your health problem. Does this seem too easy? It is. The program can only define symptoms that you notice. What about those you don’t? Medical Web sites are there to educate the public not to replace doctors. A balance of self-education and a consultation with a licensed physician is the best way to resolve health problems.
Most importantly, slow down. You may truly be a Superwoman, but your superpowers are useless without good health. Be gentle with yourself and let your body heal.
Resources:
www.webMD.com
www.healthfinder.gov
Moria K. Byrne is a freelance journalist and medical editor. As someone passionate about public health education, she spent the past two years working in the Philippines as a teacher and public health advocate. Byrne facilitated workshops, disseminated information in Tagalog (a Filipino dialect) and English and developed programming. Byrne also has experience advocating for Medicare patients and writing advocacy material on health care reform. Her previous articles have been featured in: Baltimore Business Journal, Maryland Daily Record, The Jewish Times and The Narragansett Times.
Disclaimer: Byrne isn’t a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. All information is compiled from cited medical resources and interviews with practicing physicians, nurses and/or those with advanced degrees in public health.
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