Tips to Cut Your Medical Costs

Your provider works hard to keep you healthy, but quality health care is a team effort.  You have an important role to play to make sure you receive the best care possible.   Here are some things you can do to keep your medical costs as low as possible.

• Get involved in your health care.   Learn as much as you can about your medical needs.  By conducting your own medical research, you may discover more options and be better prepared to decide which course of action is best for you. You can start your research by asking your doctor for information or using medical resources available on the web.  So that you are prepared, make a list of all your questions.   A doctor’s office is usually busy, so make the most of your visit by preparing in advance.

• Establish a health record.   Many insurance carriers provide this service to their customers.  If not, The American Medical Association (AMA) provides a free health record through iHealth Record.   Once completed, you should take your health record with you when you visit your physician.  And remember to update any new information. 

• Talk to your clinician. Tell your clinician about your health history, symptoms, medications, and any allergies you have.  Do not be afraid to ask your provider any questions.  Sadly people ask more questions when buying a cell phone than they do during medical appointments. You can enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of your health care by asking questions about your care, diagnosis, and treatment.   Take notes.   And call your provider if you  experience side effects, have more questions, or your symptoms get worse.

• Avoid unnecessary or duplicate medical tests. In certain situations the cost and risk of medical tests can outweigh the benefits. Sometimes tests are given simply as a standard procedure or as defensive medicine.  Before consenting to a test, find out what the reason and the cost for the test, how it is done, its accuracy,  the benefits versus the risks of the test, and if there are any  less expensive methods to get the same information. 

• It is important to learn the benefits and risks of your prescribed medications.  Ask your doctor about generics.  In many cases, the generic version of a medication can work just as well for your needs at a fraction of the cost.    Do not expect a prescription for medicine each time you visit the doctor. You can help keep costs low by finding out how the medication will help you, whether there is a generic or similar, less expensive version of the drug, and whether you can try a sample first.  

• Use emergency services only for true emergencies. The emergency room is inefficient for routine care or minor care.   Before going to the ER, consider an urgent care clinic. These clinics can treat common ailments such as the flu, ear infections and other non-emergency conditions for much less and a lot faster than a trip to the emergency room.  When deciding whether to go to the emergency room, use your best judgment.  In case of a true medical emergency, immediately go to the emergency room. 

• Try negotiating with your provider.  Medicine is a business so it never hurts to ask.   Do not feel uncomfortable just be respectful.    Hospitals and other medical providers are often willing to work with people to give a discount or a payment plan.  A provider is like any other freelance profession, they need business and they are willing to work with you to get your business.

• If it is safe, wait.   In many situations the old standby "take two aspirin and call me in the morning" is valid advice. On the other hand, waiting until a mild condition becomes serious can be both unpleasant and costly. Let your doctor know that you are willing to wait if that is appropriate.   He may consider it helpful to know you are willing to let time and nature take their course, but only if it is safe to do so.

• The best way to keep out-of-pocket medical expenses low, is to have insurance and to choose treatments and doctors in your insurance company's network.   Prior to treatment request a cost estimate in advance.  Many doctors and hospitals may not know the precise cost until the procedures are complete, but try to get as much information as possible. 

• Review hospital bills carefully.   It is not uncommon for hospitals to make errors on bills.  Better to review your bill and detect an error than for you and your insurance to pay for procedures you did not receive.

• Make lifestyle changes. Let's face it, by cutting out unhealthy habits you reduce your risk of being ill in the first place. Increased exercise will also likely reduce the number of future doctor's visits.   A healthy lifestyle along with regular preventive care can help keep your health care costs low.   Exercise and good nutrition contribute to a healthier life.

• Get the financial help you need. You can check with your local assistance offices for medical assistance for low income families. When it comes to your health and that of your family, there is no room for pride to get in the way of receiving treatment. It is especially important for pregnant women, young children and older individuals or anyone with pre-existing conditions to remain under the care of a physician.

• Use home health care remedies whenever possible.  You can reduce the cost of health care for yourself and others by solving health problems at home when appropriate.

• Choose a family doctor.  Visiting your regular doctor or primary care physician (PCP) is more cost-effective than seeking care from several different specialists.