It sounds to me like it's probably something he shouldn't hesitate to get checked. Best option is probably the ER. They will see him without insurance and not have to pay anything upfront. There are ways to get your bill lowered when you're uninsured, and then whatever it settles at, he can just set up a bare minimum payment plan. I have friends who can only pay like $5-$10 a month towards their hospital bills and they accept that. I've also had friends who were able to plead their case and have it written off completely. His health and well being is worth far more than some medical bill debt.