I would talk to the financial manager/social worker at the doctor's office or hospital and explain your financial situation, sometimes they will bill you based on a sliding fee scale. Also try contacting your local department of social services, they can sometimes help with medications and medical bills. And one last suggestion try contacting SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program), they help those who receive Medicare, but they can help you get in touch with other agencies in your state that could help, they have a link where you can find the local SHIIP office in your state the website is (www.shiptacenter.org). Good Luck!

If you've worked enough and SLE has gotten so bad you can get SSD which often comes with medicare and if your income is of such Medicaid. If you've been sick and have never worked enough to put into the system you will not get medicare and can apply for SSI and get Medicaid with that other than that if you are still working you will have health insurance to pay and co-pays. I've found that with a disability and inability to work comes some financial shortcomings and we have to figure out how to live within our means

Lupus & financial well being is one of the worst subjects to speak about. I was diagnosed with SLE and I have suffered greatly, I lost a very good job that I loved I ended up loosing my vehicle, and apartment I than had to move in with my EX(humiliation) I have so many bills. I set up a gofund me page and I got nothing. Social Security Disability does not pay enough for you to live off of and if you are like me and have no children social services absolutely will not help you. I do not understand if you are a child under 18years of age and having all the babies you want Social Services will give you money a nice apartment and furnish it but if you are an adult man or woman that has worked all your life and suddenly take ill they will absolutely not help you. You are allowed to work but only part time and if you go over $10.00 an hour they will penalize you and with hold your disability check. No one helps you it's horrible I feel sick to my stomach talking about what Lupus has done to me. Every day I wake up I pray that a miracle is going to happen in my name and some one will rescue me from my debt. I will never give up my dreams or show my anger and you will never see me giving nothing less than a smile. I would love to start a new Lupus organization and all the donations would go toward wishes helping people who have Lupus paying their bills finding them homes, vehicles, co-pays, small trips, and helping us the patient, if Oprah can give a way cars and homes these foundation should be able to clear debt. I am so sorry if I talked to much this time it's just that this subject really hurts me and I have nothing but yet I still give, help, motivate and support any one who needs me. Love you all thanks for letting me vent ok I feel better Lol.

I honestly don't consider the bills. Healthcare doesn't impact credit score and as long as you are paying something in good faith it isn't worth stressing out over. Hopefully our medical coverage plans will catch up to the modern need but until then the stress is not helping your health.

If you are unable to work you can apply for disability and get the insurance for free. I was lucky that my Lupus doctor never charged me a copay because I had been in the medical profession when I got sick. He retired and the one I have now works with me she know I know my body better then she does and if I call her and tell her I need something she calls it in but tells me if it doesn't get better I have to go in. This is a real problem for lupus people depending on your state you might get Medicaid in my case I never was able to because they said I made to much money not to me I didn't. I have Medicare now and need to get a supplement policy but can not afford it. Been seeing a lot of specialist lately.