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Save on Health Care

Health care can be expensive, but without it we would not be able to keep ourselves—or our families—healthy. Check out these four tips to reduce your health care expenses:

Pay less for prescriptions

On average, generic medications are 80-85% cheaper than name-brand medications, yet they contain the same formula as name-brand medications. Talk with your doctor about switching to a generic medication.

Do your homework

Not all medical facilities charge the same price for the same procedure. Try visiting your insurance plan administrator’s website or your State Health Department website. They will often have a cost-comparison tool where you can compare the costs of different facilities or procedures to find the best option for you and your family.

Save doctor visits for emergencies

If you are having a medical issue that does not require immediate attention, such as a cold or sore throat, try visiting a local pharmacy instead of your doctor’s office. Many retailers have on-site clinics with a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant on staff. These clinics are often not only quicker but less expensive than heading straight to the doctor or hospital.

Practice prevention

The best way to save on health care costs is to avoid them by being healthy. Make it a point to eat right, stay active, and keep stress to a minimum. It’s smart planning to make a visit to your doctor once a year for an annual physical. This is also a good time to ask your doctor any questions you have about your health or any medications you may be on.

Did you know?

If you receive a large medical bill, see what the same procedure would’ve cost at a different location (see tip #2), and then call your provider’s office to see if they can match the rate. They don’t want to lose your business in the future and could be willing to negotiate!

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