Paying for Treatment With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

[Guest guest]

Health care is expensive. It can be hard enough to pay for the multi-pronged

care those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome typically need

even if you're able to work and have good insurance. What happens if you're

underinsured, uninsured or unemployed? Those are questions I'm being asked more

and more.

I wish there was an easy answer, but there's just not. There are, however, ways

you can save money on health care, and there are places to turn for help. I've

compiled these resources from around the About.com Health network:

Saving Money on Prescription Drugs

More on Prescription Drug Savings

Saving Money on Health Insurance

Paying for Surgery

For issues that go beyond that, you might want to contact the Patient Advocate

Foundation, which specializes in helping with insurance access issues, medical

debt and job retention.

Patient Advocate Foundation

If you want a complementary/alternative treatment, like acupuncture or massage,

but don't have insurance coverage for it, call around. I know sometimes

practitioners have a sliding scale or reduced rate for uninsured patients.

The bottom line is: don't give up on getting the care you need!

Have you found ways to get medical treatment you couldn't afford? Are you

currently unable to afford treatment? Leave your comments below!

Learn more or join the conversation!