What if I can't get insurance?

What if I can’t get on any of these programs?

You may be able to get insurance through the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). This is insurance for Californians who get insurance in the individual insurance market. Call the MRMIP program at 1-800-289-6574 for more information.

Here are a few places where you can get free or low cost care.

• County programs: Your county may help people who make very little money and have no insurance. Call the Health Consumer Center near you for more information.
• County Public Hospitals: Many counties have a public hospital that must give free care to some people who live there. Many of these hospitals use “county hospital” in their name. Ask the hospital’s business office if the hospital is a county public hospital and ask for an application for free care.
• Non-Profit Hospitals in California: The state gives certain hospitals some tax breaks. In return, they must provide some level of charity care to the communities they serve, especially for those who do not earn a lot of money and have no health insurance. Ask the hospital’s business office if the hospital is a non-profit and ask to apply for its charity or free care program.
• Free Clinics: To find a free or low cost clinic near you, call the Health Consumer Center near you.

The Health Consumer Alliance has these materials to help you:
Brochures

• Not Getting Welfare? You Can Still Get Free Medi-Cal
• Working People Can Get Help With Health Care
• If you have no health insurance, what can you do if you get a medical bill?

Issue Briefs

• County Medical Services Program
• Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP)
• New Limitations on Hospital Billing & Collections
• Reading & Negotiating A Client's Medical Bills

Where can I get more help?

The Health Consumer Alliance helps people get the health care they need. We can help you with your legal problems getting health care. Click on Local Centers to find the health consumer center near you.