The following is a guest post from Cheryl at Swap Savers.
Doctor visits, medications and other medical costs can add up quickly especially if you have children or an illness. Here are some money savings tips related to medical costs.
Negotiate with Doctors/Hospitals – Most people don’t realize you can negotiate medical costs with your doctor or hospital. In fact according to 2005 Harris Interactive poll two thirds of patients who negotiated with a doctor, dentist or hospital were able to lower their bill. In relation to my personal experience, one time I was sick and without insurance. I explained my situation to the doctor who didn’t charge me for the visit and gave me enough free medication so I didn’t have to fill a prescription.
Ask for Free Samples – Anytime a doctor prescribes a new medication, ask for a free sample before you fill the medication in case you are allergic or the medication doesn’t work for you. If you require prescription refills you can also ask for free samples to help cut down on the costs.
Buy Generic Prescription and Over the Counter – In some cases generics medications can cost one-third the price of brand-name medications. By law a generics drug must contain the same ingredient as the brand-name drug. When your doctor is prescribing a medication, request the generic equivalent. When purchasing an over-the counter medication you can read the label to make sure the medication is the same dose and name under “active ingredients”. The only exception to this savings tip is when the name brand medication is on sale and you have a coupon (the price may be less). You can visit brand name websites for available coupons.
Compare Medication Cost With and Without Insurance – This may also surprise people, but some medications are less expensive without insurance. Some insurance companies or mail-order companies require you to pay a minimum co-pay amount which can cost more than the medication without the insurance. Always check both prices before purchasing a medication.
Exercise – The best way to avoid illness and medications is to be healthy. Regular exercise can provide many health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, improving your immune system, decreases stress levels, maintain a healthy weight, and increase flexibility and energy levels.
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Dana
Great suggestions! One of our local hospitals will give you 25% off of your bill if you pay within 15 days. That policy saved us hundreds on a medical emergency just this winter, and is sure to save us hundreds again this year when our baby is born. The hospital doesn’t advertise this, but the policy is found in the fine print at the bottom of the bill. It might not hurt to ask your local hospital if they have a similar policy, or would just give you a discount if you paid very quickly. I think they may be willing to reduce your bill if they’re guaranteed to get the money.
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Brandy Carroll
More ways to save on medical costs.
If you have a primary insurance and secondary insurance, make sure that all providers are billing properly. For example, you go to the ER & have tests done, make sure that the radiologist grouo bills correctly. Sometimes they only see the primary insurance company & do not bill the secondary company.
Also, make sure that ALL providers are in your network. For example, you know ahead of time that you are having surgery. You can call & ask for a listing of anesthesiologists that are in your insurance network & schedule with them. By scheduling providers that are in network, you cut down on the chances of having to pay out of network costs which saves you money.
And certain medicines can be bought over the counter (OTC). However, sometimes, you can get a precsription for then & end up with a cheaper co-pay than buying it OTC. For example, my doctor wanted me to take a medicine for my stomach which I could get OTC, but he wrote me RX for it anyway. The cost of the medicine was $12.99 OTC but with the RX, I ended up paying only a $5.00 co-pay.
Don’t forget organizations as well. If you have kidney disease, ask your local National Kidney Foundation for help. Sometimes organizations can help patients in finacial difficulties with the costs of medicines as well.
And never forget to ask!!! Ask your doctor, your pharmacy, & your insurance company. Someone will know something to help you out.
katie
Another tip is check if your medication has rebates. You can find out by going to their website. Sometimes this ends up being better than if you just got the generic. For instance Pravacid that my son is on sent me an instant rebate card that I use every month and it ends up being free(factoring in my insurance and the rebate card of course). My other son was just put on a new mwdication and in the sample the doctor gave me there is a rebate form also making for some pretty cheap meds! We take a lot of medicine at our house so any little bit helps!