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One of the top reasons that felons file for bankruptcy or experience serious financial problems is because of what they owe on medical bills. There are times that felons, like anyone else, must have medical care. The problem is that it leads to costly medical bills that can cause serious financial issues. The good news is that there are medical bills assistance programs for felons.
Whether you have medical bills that currently need to be paid, or you need medical care and want to avoid having the bills pile up, there are options. The programs that are available that will help felons pay for their medical bills are made available through both federal and local governments, as well as other organizations that will provide some limited assistance.
Be sure to check with multiple medical bills assistance programs for felons so you can find the help that you need. There are no limits to the number of programs you can apply for, so inquire with as many as you feel qualified for.
Medical Bills Assistance Programs for Felons
Medicaid – The most popular program that will provide medical bills assistance for felons is Medicaid. This is a federally funded program that will pay for medical expenses for felons who qualify. Felons who are approved for the program will be able to get all or most of their medical bills paid for. Felons can receive free doctor visits, emergency care, prescription drugs, vision and dental care, substance abuse treatment, and more. The assistance program pays for most medical care expenses, with the exception of some procedures that are elective, such as plastic surgery that is not medically necessary. To qualify for Medicaid, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal alien. Medicaid is administered through social service offices in each state. To get more information about Medicaid, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program is federally funded and provides felons who qualify with a monthly cash grant. The cash grant can be used to pay medical bills, as well as pay for other living expenses. To qualify, you have to have at least one minor child you are providing care for. Some states do offer a General Assistance program, which offers cash grants, but doesn’t require that felons any minor children they are caring for. To qualify for TANF, you have to meet the low income guidelines and be a legal citizen. This assistance program is administered through state social services offices. To learn more or apply, click here.
Care Credit – This is a company that offers credit to be able to pay for your medical bills. Felons who are approved will receive a credit card that can be used to pay for medical bills. Then the bills will be paid for over time through monthly installments. These are not grants, so you will have to pay the funds back. You may be able to get special terms that offer zero interest for a period of time, but you also may have to pay interest on the funds that you borrow. They run promotions that allow you up to a year of being interest free. Most medical providers accept Care Credit to pay for medical bills. Care Credit can be used on many types of medical bills, including primary care clinics, dentist offices, and veterinarian offices, as well as for chiropractic care, dermatology, lab testing, and more. Qualifying for Care Credit is similar to that of another type of credit card, because it is essentially a credit card that is only used for medical and health related bills. To get more information about Care Credit or apply, click here.
Personal Loans – Local banks and credit unions offer personal loans to felons. The personal loans can vary in the amount borrowed and in interest rates. Felons may find that they can benefit from taking out a personal loan to pay for a medical expense. The amount of interest you pay for a personal loan is usually based on your current credit score. The better your score is, the lower your interest rate should be. These are not grants. Rather, they are loans, so they will have to be paid back over time. Personal loans are offered through banking institutions as well as other types of lenders. To get more information on personal loans, click here.
In addition to the medical bills assistance programs for felons listed above, check with your local churches and non-profit organizations. Many of them offer bill paying assistance for felons in need. Another option is to contact the medical provider to ask if they know of options to help you pay the bill. They may have suggestions for receiving grants to pay the medical bill, or will work with you to make payments on it over time.
