If you are currently uninsured consider that there are many plans available, which provide basic coverage at an affordable price.  It is always best to have a health plan.  Search for an insurance quote here.  Otherwise, if you seek medical coverage know that you do have options.  First, ask what the medical treatment is going to cost ahead of time.  Second, ask for at least a 50% discount.  Realizing that medical providers who are contracted with a health plan receive approximately 40-50% of their charge, why would an uninsured patient be expected to pay any more?  

Medical providers must bill all patients and health plans the same fee.  The difference though is that health plans don't always pay the full price being asked.  One of the main reasons they enter into contracts with physicians is to reduce the amount they are going to pay and to know "up front" the amount the health plan is liable to pay.   Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna, and all others pay a percentage of the full price.  The amount paid could vary as low as 25% to a high of 80%.  

There are a multitude of strategies to use in negotiating your fee and determining what is an appropriate amount (or percentage) to pay.  The first step is asking your physician, facility or other medical provider to negotiate with  you.

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