How I Survive Without Health Insurance

I have been uninsured for about a year. I am a full-time, self-employed freelance writer. I was covered on my husband's insurance plan and did not make the decision to work for myself until his plan covered me (after we married).

When my husband lost his job, we lost our insurance as well. We learned that COBRA and individual plans cost us at least as much as our rent-sometimes per person-which wasn't affordable, especially since my husband had lost his job. This was especially true when his unemployment benefits expired after six months.

My husband became employed again just a few months ago, however his new job comes with insurance that does not cover spouses or children (we don't have kids but would like to in the future).

I have chronic back and neck pain from injuries due to a series of accidents. At times, I cannot work for days at a time. This makes it difficult for me to work in an office and my self-employed income is competitive with what I am worth in the office environment. (It's also a more stable option for me in this economy.)

Over the last year, I have learned to live without health insurance. I've discovered that it's possible to do this within my budget, however a major chronic illness like cancer would probably ruin my life in every way possible because I'm uninsured. I have no health care option; my only choice is to assume I will not get sick. This is how I cope.

Prevention

General prevention habits have helped me survive without health insurance. Because it's too expensive for me to get sick, I've paid more attention to dental care, diet and physical fitness. I realize that failure to monitor these things will lead to long-term illnesses that I may not be able to afford to reverse.

Taking Risks

Being uninsured is not a choice for me. I can work, so I do. I could probably qualify for some sort of disability, but I am perfectly capable of making a living for myself on a freelance basis as long as I plan my schedule adequately. That said, this choice leaves me with no affordable insurance options. This is a risk that I must take.

I have to face the fact that I take risks frequently. I don't have up to date tetanus shots, so I'm particularly careful around rusty nails.

Without insurance, contact lenses and glasses are expensive; this leads me to be extremely careful with my glasses. It's also a risk wearing contact lenses longer than the proscribed length of time, but it's a risk I have to take, especially since I need the contacts to drive at night.

Cost Analysis

I am always on the lookout for affordable health insurance. Since I don't really fall into any sort of category covered by government assistance, I consider it my responsibility to continually search for health care options. This leads to cost analysis.

I could receive health insurance for graduate students since I am a full-time graduate student. However, this option doesn't make sense in terms of costs. It obviously costs to purchase the plan. Clinic visits are then a $65 copay. However, without insurance, I qualify for $45 clinic visits based on household income and expenses.

Keeping Informed

Since I'm uninsured and my lack of insurance affects my health and my family's finances and wellbeing, I stay informed about health insurance reform. I am limited in receiving any sort of benefit because I am not suffering from a chronic illness, pregnant or a senior citizen. As legislation is updated, I constantly check resources in hopes of being qualified for some sort of public health care option.

Social Media

I frequently use social media (especially Facebook) to find resources for the uninsured and to ask general health questions. While this isn't an accurate tool for diagnosis, it is free. When I had pneumonia in the fall, I did not recognize the symptoms. Friends on Facebook and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) convinced me to head to a Minute Clinic, which then directed me to an urgent care facility.

The condition was actually pretty serious, but the treatment and medication was affordable. I had not known about these options prior to inquiring on Facebook. I would have either avoided seeking medical treatment due to fear of hospital costs or I would have gone to the hospital and incurred a bill I would have been unable to pay.

Use Clinics

Once I learned about clinics from a fellow uninsured local writer, I started utilizing them. My local clinic options are essential to my wellbeing. These include:

• · Planned Parenthood for annual exams (including breast health exam)
  
• · Urgent Care (they can treat things like bronchitis, sinus infections and pneumonia without the cost of an uninsured emergency room visit)
  
• · General Medical Clinic (physicals and general wellness visits-they did order some tests that I could not afford to get. Instead of getting blood tests I lost weight and lowered my blood pressure. We are left to assume that my cholesterol and other risk factors are under control due to dietary changes and weight loss.)
  

As uninsured life goes on, I strive to maintain a practical and realistic perspective: health care just isn't affordable for me. I am a responsible citizen and keep my car insurance payments current in case of an auto accident, but I really can't afford the insurance. I refuse to purchase insurance with extremely limited coverage when it is a poor financial decision that doesn't even cover what I need. I'm hoping there will be a public option available for purchase or that I will simply make it to age 65 without any chronic illness.

More from Tara M. Clapper:
Three Worst Places for Women to Get Sex Advice (With Alternatives)
Labor Doula Makes Motherhood a True Career
On Being A Woman