Most insurance plans cover regular screenings and checkups that are recommended by medical guidelines. But if you have concerns about your ability to pay for screening or testing, it’s important to know that you have options.
Federally Qualified Health Centers, for example, provide medical care for people in underserved locations. Payment is based on a sliding scale.
Other resources for accessing affordable healthcare include:
- community health centers
- free clinics
- community health fairs
- clinical trials
Local and state health departments may also provide some preventive services, such as flu or COVID-19 vaccines or HIV testing.
Our expert panel acknowledged that it can be hard to navigate all these resources and find out what’s available to you. Fortunately, you’re not alone.
Many community and academic health centers, as well as Federally Qualified Health Centers, have navigators and social workers to help you identify the resources available to you and understand how to take advantage of these opportunities. Your healthcare team or insurance company should be able to help connect you with people in these roles.
You can also find help identifying and navigating resources from:
- professional associations
- patient advocacy groups
- government organizations, such as the Department of Health and Human Services
- nonprofit groups, such as Planned Parenthood
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