No Health Insurance

Q:  Our family has no health insurance and my husband has diabetes and high blood pressure. He often has to go without his medications because we have no money. I worry about his health and wonder if there is anything I can do?

A:  It sounds like you have a physician that will see you without insurance, which is a major accomplishment. There still are some physicians who will see a few patients free of charge or at a significant discount. You may wish to call several doctors' offices and ask to speak to the manager to discuss payment arrangements or discounted fees. There may be a few pleasant surprises.

There are several options in securing medications. Older medications that are now generic are often considerably less expensive and reasonably effective. Most doctors' offices are regularly visited by pharmaceutical salespeople who will leave starter packs of medication to be given free to patients. This is probably not a viable long term solution but may be a helpful stopgap solution. Several pharmaceutical companies offer free medications requiring the participation of your doctor. Ask your pharmacist if there are programs available for the medications your husband is taking. If there are, your doctor can call a toll free number and request applications for the medications you need. I have a patient who has made the necessary contacts and I’ve made the phone calls so we’ll see how well the system works.

Keep in mind that for both high blood pressure and diabetes, exercise and a proper diet can make a significant difference in your health and sometimes even the need for medications.

Dr. Russell Robertson is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His biweekly column of medical advice also appears in the CNI Community Newspapers throughout metropolitan Milwaukee.