If you're uninsured in the U.P., you have options
MARQUETTE -- Forty-six million Americans are living without health insurance, as employers tighten their belts and slash benefits.
TV6 Facebook fan, Mary Kay Welch posted: "Those without health insurance have two choices: go bankrupt or sad to say, die."
But fear not Facebook fans, that's not the case! All that U.P. residents need to do is follow this checklist: Step one--visit your nearest Department of Human Services. Many will direct you to Medicaid or other government programs.
Step two--if you don't qualify for government programs, you may qualify for help from Marquette's Medical Care Access Coalition. They connect Marquette County residents, with a salary just under $22,000 a year, with volunteer medical access programs.
"We are essentially filling in gaps," said Medical Care Access Coalition executive director, Melissa Hall. "We fill a need for people who need to find some access to health care; essentially we're a safety net provider."
But what if you don't live in Marquette County near the Medical Care Access Coalition? Well, fortunately there are similar coalitions just like it across the Upper Peninsula.
The U.P. Health Access Coalition lists nine locations for five different access coalitions in every corner of the U.P. But what if you don't qualify for Medicaid or assistance from coalition? There are federally-qualified health centers that provide low cost, out of pocket care. The U.P. Association of Rural Health Services has a list of those centers on their website.
"The federally-qualified health care centers are a great access point for low-income uninsured or under insured residents across the U.P.”
But what if you have a pre-existing medical condition, which can complicate things even further? As it turns out, there's a program called HIP Michigan, which offers federally-funded insurance for Michigan residents who have had a serious medical condition in the past. We spoke with one Marquette resident who only pays a $200 a month premium for the program.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC