But tempting as these strategies may be in the short term with regard to pennies saved, they are indeed pound foolish over time. And they are not necessary!
The foolishness here is self-evident, but I'll hit you over the head with it anyway. If you have a serious chronic condition -- diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. -- and you neglect it, you may, at best, get worse -- and at worst...die! Neither of these will do your household budget much good. The likelihood of you ever being re-employed if you die is very remote indeed. And if you merely get worse, there’s a point at which your financial concerns won't be enough to keep you out of an ambulance or ER. And at that point, the BIG bills will roll in!
So much for the foolishness -- what about the necessity of saving some money? What are the alternatives to skimping on care?
With regard to medications, there are two good options. First, if you are on a branded medication, you may not need to be. Doctors and patients alike tend to prefer brand names -- but as with clothes or furniture, you pay a lot for a label that at times may not mean much. Your doctor or pharmacist should be able to say not only whether a generic is available, but if it is likely to be as good. Generics often cost a fraction of the branded drug, so when you can, you should. (See these tips for saving on test strips).
If you can't get a generic, or if even the generic is too expensive, most pharmaceutical companies offer programs of discounted or even free medications to those who can't pay. There are services to help patients access such programs — like this.
Another good option is to contact a medical social worker, who can help with everything from discounted medication, to reduced cost primary care, to getting some form of health insurance. If your doctor can't recommend a social worker (or if you don't have a doctor), call your local hospital and ask for the social work office. Every hospital has this service, and it often goes overlooked by the community at large. Social workers have been invaluable to my patients over the years.
As for doctor visits, your clinic may be able to work out some kind of payment plan you can manage. If not, there may be a free clinic you might use instead -- at least until back on your financial feet. A social worker can help explore these options, too. And almost any option is better than skipping out on care altogether.
When I say that skimping on your medical care is pennywise but pound foolish, I recognize the danger: offering advice that is logical, but useless. I have no patience for advice that doesn't work in the real world. The reality here is that you can address both the pennies, and the pounds -- no need to choose between the two. Neglecting your health is not the answer. It will likely cost you money sooner than later. And it might cost you your life.
So please -- give my advice a try, and take care of yourself!
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