Do you avoid seeing a doctor, just because you don't have insurance?

go to a free or low income clinic. they don’t turn anybody away. they also have lots of sample medication, which they will dispense freely if you need it.

I’ve never been in that situation, but my wife was before we met. I avoid doctors now (except for the depression meds) because I genuinely don’t care about my health.

Of course.
I’d have my teeth taken care of promptly if we had dental insurance when I could get the procedures done. I go get eye glasses, I’d get preventative care for other things and not worry if next month I could have used that money on food. And when issues arise, I wouldn’t sit and think “Do I really want to spend that money on myself or feed/house/clothe my child?”
Sucks.

Absolutely.

I haven’t had a normal checkup since I was… oh… ten? Nine?

I had Medicaid when I was pregnant with my son, so I had OK maternity care.

The short time I had health insurance (when I worked for the local government), the insurance back-charged me for everything. Literally, everything. Might as well have not had it.

We never had health insurance till we were 50 and 58. Once we had it, we started going to the doctor every time we felt a twinge. Making up for lost time. Thrilling!

Too bad we’ve always voted out universal health care, huh?

Oh yes. Most of my years I’ve been without insurance but have come to realize the money I’ve spent on emergency visits/care have still come out less than if I’d been making a moderate monthly paycheck contribution along with office visits. I’m lucky a big expensive deal has not come up, yet. I’ll be insured next month and have a list of things to do and get over with just in case I lose the insurance within the year. Blah.

I do it every time I do not have insurance.

Otherwise a doctor visit could break you.

I don’t go to a doctor because I don’t have insurance. I don’t think there are many people who can still go to a doctor and pay cash. I will have to be on my death bed before I’ll go to a doctor. I self-medicate and I use the internet to try and figure out how to help myself.

I avoid the doctor because it’s a hassle, and it’s rare that she could be of any help. “Oh, twisted your knee? Well, wrap it up and keep ice on it.” Thanks doc. =_=

@Confuscious That’s not necessarily true. A visit to a primary care physician can cost between 50–100, $50 isn’t bad if it’s to find out you have something major wrong with you. It’s the bloodwork and extensive tests that I personally can’t afford (and like I said earlier, dental is something that is so expensive that I desperately need.
But, I do tend to self-medicate by rationalizing that it’s nothing big so I just get over it. I’m lucky to have insurance off and on (I have it currently, but I’m pregnant so everything revolves around the pregnancy..)

Yes. My mothers insurance on me stopped coverage in August as I just graduated college in June. I could use to see a dentist (I’m fairly certain I have a cavity on one of my front two teeth), and was behind on checkups already. I don’t have insurance, so I won’t be setting up an appointment with either anytime soon.

Also, 3 times in the past 4 or so years I found my way to the emergency room with very high fevers (103+) related to flu/strep/etc. Even WITH Mom’s insurance that set me back $50 + medication. Such a visit to the ER is highly unlikely if I get that sick this year. Heaven forbid I break a leg or something. I have no clue how I would pay that medical bill.

In Canada we don’t have to avoid seeing the doctor and we have excellent physicians here too.

In my situation, the government pays for my doctor visits, diagnostic testing, rehab services, medications, full dental, vision care including eye exams and glasses, ambulance, hospitalization and aids to daily living.

Even at lower Canadian prices, my medications would otherwise cost me $1700 or more per month.

My monthly premium is $0.00 with no deductible.

I am so sorry the USA has a for-profit medical system run by and for the insurance and drug companies.

Apparently free enterprise means Americans are not free to get the health care they need!

All the time.

Whenever I don’t have health insurance… definitely. Otherwise there’s absolutely no way I could afford a vist to the doctors.

No, I have health coverage and I avoid going to the doctor because they cannot do anything for most of the minor ailments I have.