Local Clinics Hope to Fill Health Plan Voids

If you can't afford health insurance, you're not alone.  More people are having a hard time paying premium costs and some people have to go without medical coverage.

The crisis in health care is creating a need that one Springfield-based urgent care clinic is hoping to fill.

It's a simple plan for people who have a medical need but think they can't afford to go to the doctor, and for small businesses that can't afford an employee sponsored health insurance plan.

Family Medical walk-in clinics are now offering a new membership program called Affordable Care Solutions.

It's not a health insurance plan, but a medical discount program.

For a monthly $50 membership fee, you can come in to the urgent care clinic's four locations and pay a $30 office visit.

And that's all you'll pay for any test or exam that can be performed in the urgent care environment, usually for minor illnesses and injuries, says Dr. Daniel Burke. 

"We've noticed that the folks who have to pay cash for services even were getting to the point where they could afford our services which was a fraction of what the same service in the emergency department would be.  We knew that we needed to do something," said Burke.

Under the Affordable Care Solution plan, patients could realistically generate $500 worth of charges but pay only the $30 office visit fee.

Burke stresses this plan does not replace traditional heath insurance.  If it can be done at the urgent care, the service is included.  If not, you'll still have those hospital and doctor expenses if you have a more serious illness.

And even with this lower cost there are some people who still won't be able to afford join this membership program.