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Many people get health insurance coverage through the government when they have low income and don’t have health insurance through a job, but what can you do if neither of these options is possible. Here are some ideas.

• Talk about your situation with local health care providers. Many people assume that unless it’s a “free clinic,” you can’t get financial assistance from a clinic. This however is not true. If you discuss with the clinic where you want to go about your financial situation you may find that they offer assistance to those with low incomes. This could include a reduced cost to see a doctor. It typically depends on your income and how many people are in your family. After all, it can’t hurt to ask, right? Just be sure to talk to them before you see a doctor.
• Pay in cash. This isn’t always an option, but by paying up front and in cash, many places will offer a discount if you ask. It costs them a lot less to have the money right away then to send bill after bill trying to get the money from you — especially if it ends up going to a collection agency. This is especially helpful for big items such as surgeries.

There are other ways to save money, but those are the big ones. The best thing is to have insurance, in case of a major catastrophe, but remember that if you paid for all your medical expenses out of pocket, often you’d pay less than you would for monthly health insurance premiums.