I have student health insurance but make $5k a year and now have to get the human rabies immunoglobulin injection series.

The only place near me that can give me the shots is the ER. My BCBS says I have a $500 deductible but $450 ER copay. I would need to go 4 times, about $1,800 in just copays. I have a pending bill for $400 for x-rays from the same incident, which is covered and will hopefully take up most of my deductible. Afterward my insurance pays 80% while I cover 20%. My maximum out of pocket is $5,500 but ACA OOP is $7,500.

Someone at the hospital who used to work in billing recommended I do self-pay for everything. I have called for an estimate and am waiting on a return call comparing the prices for insurance versus self-pay for all of this.

My main question is… I’m assuming a copay only really exists with health insurance. If I show up and do self-pay do I pay anything like that up front? I know I’m below the federal poverty line percentage, and I’ll be working on financial assistance. Someone from the ER said they might waive all costs for me based on my financial situation. I am married but because I’m a college student and make about $5,000 a year while in school, they should be understanding, they said.

Very ready for all of this to be over. Thank you in advance!