Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog

Low-Cost Healthcare Options for the Uninsured

Due to the exorbitant cost of healthcare in the United States, most people applying for Social Security Disability benefits are uninsured. The consequences of remaining uninsured can be devastating, however. Uninsured individuals are four times more likely to avoid seeing a doctor for preventative or urgent care, and advanced stage diseases are diagnosed 30-50% more often in the uninsured. If you find yourself uninsured and unable to afford healthcare services, look into the following low-cost healthcare options:

Community Health Centers

At community health centers, fees are based on your income, so you only pay what you can afford. Community health centers are regulated by the federal government and are located all over the country.

Free Clinics

Free clinics provide healthcare and prescription medication for free or at a low cost to uninsured individuals. Some have pharmacies on site, some rely on pharmaceutical company samples, and some have an arrangement with local pharmacies.

Hospitals

You may be able to receive free or low cost care at public hospitals or private nonprofit hospitals. Contact your state's health department to find out if any of these types of facilities are located in your area.

Social Service Agencies

Social service agencies or religious groups in your local area may have emergency funds available to help you with medication purchases in times of crisis. Contact a local church, United Way, Salvation Army, or Goodwill for more information.

Financial Assistance from Government Programs and Nonprofit Organizations

If you have a specific disease, look for government programs and nonprofit organizations that advocate for people with specific chronic diseases. The National Institutes of Health website features links to organizations that provide financial assistance to people with certain conditions.

Medicare

If you are elderly or disabled and have limited income, you may qualify for Medicare, a federal health insurance program that covers the costs of medical care and hospital stays.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a health and medical services program for low-income individuals and families. Each state sets its own Medicaid eligibility guidelines and makes the final decision about what their Medicaid programs provide. Services that all states are required to provide in their Medicaid programs include inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, prenatal care, vaccines for children, and more.

Migrant, Rural, and Indian Clinics

Migrant health clinics provide healthcare to migrant laborers. Rural clinics are located in rural areas and typically serve Medicare and Medicaid patients. Indian Healthcare Services clinics are tribally-administered and provide healthcare services to Native Americans.

For more information about low-cost healthcare services, check out this list of resourc

Mental Disorders and Social Security Disability

Although it's possible to collect Social Security Disability benefits for both physical and mental disorders, it's generally harder for people with mental disorders to collect benefits because their symptoms cannot be assessed as easily. Nevertheless, anyone with a debilitating mental condition is entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Social Security categorizes mental disorders in nine diagnostic categories:

Organic mental disorders
Schizophrenic, paranoid, and other psychotic disorders
Affective disorders
Mental retardation
Anxiety-related disorders
Somatoform disorders
Personality disorders
Substance addition disorders
Autistic disorder and other developmental disorders

When you apply for disability benefits, a disability examiner will first refer to the Blue Book, Social Security's official list of impairments, to determine whether the symptoms of your condition meet specific criteria. If your condition is listed in the Blue Book, it will certainly benefit your case. Being diagnosed with a mental disorder that's listed in the Blue Book does not guarantee that your application will be approved, however. Your mental disorder must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Furthermore, you must prove that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.

Even if your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, you can apply for and receive disability benefits, as long as your medical records and third party reports prove that your condition is severe enough. A disability examiner will evaluate the severity of your mental condition based on clinical notes from mental health professionals, an Activities of Daily Living questionnaire completed by you, and third party questionnaires. Anyone who files for disability benefits based on a mental disorder is required to supply the name of a third person who is familiar with their illness and could answer questions about his condition and normal daily routine.

To maximize the chances of getting your application approved, ask friends, relatives, and former employers to write letters/reports about your condition that will help you make your case. Another figure who will play a key role in getting your application approved is your doctor, preferably a psychologist or psychiatrist. Your doctor should write a report describing your symptoms and behavior, in detail. The longer your doctor has known you and has been treating you, the more weight his reports will carry.

The number of disability applications based on mental disorders that are approved is small. Many individuals have to pursue their disability allowance through the Social Security appeals process. If you file an appeal, having good legal representation will significantly increase your chances of winning benefits.