Q. I do not have health insurance. Can’t afford it. Will doctors refuse to treat me if I do not have health insurance?

A. Would you refuse to work for your employer if they were unable to pay you?

Most folks who say they cannot afford health insurance really mean they have other things they like to do with their money rather than buying insurance they may never need. The problem with this is, by the time you need it you won’t be able to get it.

Providers are required by law to treat you in the event of a true emergency regardless of your ability to pay. That does not mean you are entitled to carte blanche treatment at the same level as those who are paying clients.

In other words, if your condition is life threatening they are required to treat you to the point of stabilizing you and moving you out the door. Beyond that, if you lack the ability to pay they are not obligated to treat you.

If you had a spinal cord injury the hospital & doctors are required to stablize you until the point you can be discharged. However they are not obligated to provide any ongoing treatment or rehab.

If you can pay cash, any willing provider will treat you, at least until the cash runs out.