Ways to Lower Your Health Care Costs
What do we expect from insurance coverage? First of all, we expect payment from our company — quickly and without unnecessary problems. Undoubtedly, the service cost is also important, moreover, it, like everything else in the world, constantly grows. So how save on insurance? There are several ways, knowing which you can reduce your expenses but still get the same services.
Some Relevant Facts about Healthcare Insurance in the USA
- About 28.1 million Americans are uninsured.
- 45 thousand people die every year because they have no money to pay for their insurance coverage.
- Finally, according to 2013 data, it was medical bills that were the main reason that almost 2 million people in the United States became bankruptcies. However, after the health care reform (ObamaÑare), by 2016 the number of bankruptcies due to medical expenses fell sharply to 770 thousand.
The US healthcare system plays a huge role in the lives of US residents. It undoubtedly brings new opportunities and benefits to people. At the same time, as we can see, insurance expenses can cause problems for some people. The United States is rightfully the country where the insurance premiums amount can be described simply as astronomical.
How to Save on Health Insurance Costs
Now, that we have figured out why it is so necessary to reduce costs (although many of you have already felt this need), it is time to share a few tips and tricks that should help you in this matter. There are 10 recommendations in total on our list. Read them carefully; we are sure they will be useful to you.
Tip 1: Consider Generics as Alternatives to Your Medications
Surely many of you have already heard about generics, but if you do not know what it is, then we will explain. Generic drugs are copies of the drugs your doctor prescribes for you. The only difference is that their manufacturers are completely different companies and their cost is, for the most part, much lower than that of the original ones. Both of those trademarks use the same active substance so the effect is approximately the same.
Many people are afraid to take analogs believing that since they are cheaper, they are as worthless as sand. But actually, this is not entirely true. Yes, some generics may affect the body differently than your treatment requires. However, if you choose a high-quality and proven drug analog, then there will be no difference.
To be sure you are not buying a pig in a poke, check with your pharmacist about this. Ask him about which generics are most effective and of the best quality.
Tip 2: Do not Be Afraid to Ask Your Doctor for a Discount
Did you know that about 61 percent of those who asked their doctor for a discount actually received some kind of goodies?
Many people are afraid or ashamed to ask for a reduction in value because this can embarrass them or make them a beggar. Nothing of the kind! We are all human, and we all have certain problems from time to time. If you know that you are currently going through hard times, then there is nothing wrong with asking for a discount from your clinician at least once. Especially if you are a reliable and loyal patient.
Tip 3: Follow the Advice from Your Doctor
The medications your doctor prescribes for you are very important. However, about 20 percent of Americans simply do not buy these drugs. This is a great mistake.
You might think that if you ignore the doctor's advice, you can save even more money on your medications, right? No, wrong. Your clinician prescribes medications for you to help you feel better and reduce your risks of getting certain diseases. Otherwise, you can get hospitalized, and then the figures in the bill can prove to you that you were wrong about ignoring medical recommendations. Moreover, you can buy the analogs that we have already talked about.
Tip 4: Compare the Cost for Laboratory Procedures at Different Places
Let's say your doctor recommended you an electroencephalogram. Will you go straight to the first available place?
The cost of the same procedure may differ not only from state to state but also in the area where you live. Call or go to a laboratory and ask how much they charge for a particular test or examination. Moreover, if you need to go urgently to another state, you can check their cost. You can almost certainly find a cheaper option.
Tip 5: Take Advantage of Distance Ordering
Distance purchasing is when you order, pay for and receive medications with no need to visit a pharmacy. They will be delivered to you by pharmacies (or online pharmacies) themselves or courier services. It can save you money if the nearest pharmacy is expensive. But if you are going to order drugs right now, make sure that your medical policy allows you to do so first.
Tip 6: Choose Plans with a High Deductible
This is quite simple and obvious. If you are young and healthy and have an insurance policy with a low deductible, you may feel that in an insured event, you will save a lot of money. In part, that is so. However, if you rarely visit a doctor and generally are in tolerable health, then paying high insurance premiums each time is not very economical.
Consider finding a plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles. Yes, it can take some time to compare different companies and plans. Nevertheless, your monthly savings (if you pay for insurance every month, for example) will be impressive in the end even if you have to pay more for the insured event with the new plan.
Tip 7: Visit Only the Doctors Who Are in Your Insurance Plan
Insurance companies have certain clinics, hospitals, and doctors that cooperate with them. These providers are called in-network providers. The rest of the hospitals and doctors who are not included in this category are called out-of-network providers.
Each company works with a different provider, so you need to know all the hospitals and doctors that are part of your plan. Otherwise, you risk spending much more money on medical care than you expected.
Tip 8: Do not Be Lazy to Have Preventive Tests and Examinations
All of us would like to have more hours a day to be able to do all we need. However, we have to learn to do everything in current conditions even if it seems that there is not enough time. This is especially true for health. Many people go to the doctor only when they experience certain health problems.
Try flipping a switch: start getting yearly checkups and tests to make sure your body is okay or to reduce your risk of illness or disease. Moreover, many insurance companies offer free services in this field. Do the math: it is much cheaper to get a free examination than to spend money on expensive medications to treat illnesses and diseases or to get hospitalized.
Tip 9: Remember the Benefits Provided by Companies
If you are covered by your company’s insurance, then we have good news for you. This will be especially useful for those who lead an active life. Many insurance company plans offer certain benefits for those who complete their daily tasks. What are their daily tasks?
Just be active. For example, some companies allow you to save a significant amount of money on insurance if you walk a certain number of steps per day. These tasks also include cycling, machine exercises, and more. This way you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and save money. Quite convenient, isn't it?
Tip 10: Take Care of Your Health
And finally, perhaps the most important and obvious thing is taking care of your health. Regardless of how old you are or how much free time you have, you can lead a healthy lifestyle. Take a walk to a nearby store, walk your dog and do not entrust it to your children or your spouse, eat fruits and vegetables, eat in small portions and often so as not to overload your stomach.
We do not tell you to do sports every day. What we have recommended above can help you to significantly improve your well-being and save on medical bills.
We have considered 10 recommendations on how you can lower your health insurance costs. Most importantly, you can apply to not one but several recommendations at once. We hope that our article helped you find ways to improve your financial state.
