<prompt> Human: Im in a situation where I really need to go to a doctor but Im uninsured and really, totally lost on how health careinsurance even works in the US Texas. In October 2015, I had reconstructive surgery for a blown knee unhappy triad. This was done while living in Germany and under German health insurance, so everything was paid and I didnt have to worry about anything. A few days ago, I felt a real dull but aching pain in my meniscus it was completely torn and there is swelling and hindrance of movement. I can walk on it but bending my knee past 45 degrees is not happening and major pain sets in. I need to see a doctor but I dont have health insurance and make around 1100 net, per month. Basically, Im at the poverty level but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. I cant afford a doctor visit because I live paycheck to paycheck. Everything has to be budgeted and there is not really room for an expensive doctor visit and eventual surgery. What are my options? I dont have any idea how Im supposed to pay for this and I dont want to become homeless because of an injury. I dont have anyone I can rely upon for support, so Im going this alone. Any suggestions and explanations as to what my options are, are greatly appreciated. Assistant: Are you a German citizen? Or an American who just happened to be in Germany when you injured your knee previously? Healthcare in the US is very, very expensive. You can go to an emergency room and they will treat you even if you dont have insurance, but the bill from any treatment will be much more than you can afford. A private practice doctor may not see you at all if you dont have insurance and cant pay. I dont think you have a lot of good options here. Any chance you have a partner with health insurance? You could marry them and be added to their plan, then seek out surgery. If your knee doesnt prevent you from working, you could also look for a job with a company that offers health insurance. Either of those options would require you to wait for the insurance to kick in before you seek care, which probably isnt realistic. If theres no feasible way for you to get health insurance, then I suggest going to a hospital and getting the care you need. Hospitals often offer charitable assistance to low income people, and you may be able to work out a payment plan. Human: Im a dual-citizen who has lived around 15 years in Germany most recently from 1207 - 0516 and the US for 21 years. In Germany, health insurance is a requirement and it pretty much pays for 95 - 100 of the costs. I know about the ER and am going to avoid it because it will be almost triple the costs and Ill leave in the same condition anyway. Im just trying to figure out how this whole Obamacare thing works, as when I left the States in 07, it did not exist. Im trying to see if there is any way to get cheap insurance or something. I really dont want something like this to ruin my life.  <response>: Can you fly back to Germany? A plane ticket is going to be cheaper than health care in the US 