What do you do if you can’t afford health insurance and now get sick? This is a big question that a lot of people are asking, and quite often, they are not getting the answers they want to hear. Karen Stiles from the TODAY’S TMJ4 Call 4 Action office has more information about this problem and how you can get help. The Call 4 Action office gets a lot of calls about this, and often, it can be very hard to find help. However, if you find yourself in this situation you can: contact your local health department or the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to inquire about any low cost or free health care clinics or programs in your community. If you need services from a hospital or specialized clinic, explain your situation and ask if they can offer any financial assistance or charitable programs. Sometimes there are payment plans, discounts or special programs available. If you need prescription drugs, ask if any samples are available or inquire about special programs that are available from pharmaceutical companies to help you afford your medication. You might also be able to get low cost insurance coverage through state, county and federal programs such as BadgerCare Plus, Title 19 or GAMP, but in order to qualify, your income often needs to be very low, you may have a waiting period before coverage is available, and sometimes, coverage can be very limited for your particular illness. To find out more about these programs, contact the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, the Medical Society of Milwaukee or the Health Department in your county. Click on the links under related content for more information.