100 Ways to Save Money on Healthcare
The LPN to RN Blog offers some great tips on how to lower your healthcare expenses. 100 tips to be exact, and some of them are really good advice. Here are some of my highlights with my notes in italics. For a complete list of 100 Ways You Can Lower Your Healthcare Costs visit their blog.
3. Change your coinsurance ratio: Raise your ratio to cut your monthly premium.
Find more information on co-insurance here. Increasing your co-insurance ratio will help to spread out the payment responsibility between you and your insurer, in turn reducing your monthly premium.
6. Don’t take no for an answer: Go through appeals processes with your insurance company if they deny your medical claims.
change:healthcare offers a field guide on “How to handle a denied medical claim.” You can access it here. This guides walks you through the necessary steps associated with appealing a denied medical claim.
30. Go to federally funded clinics: You can get immunizations, checkups, and dental care, while paying what you can afford through special clinics.
Often community health centers, and now even retail based clinics, offer vaccinations for a flat fee such as $10 to $30 depending on the type. Going to see your doctor for this type of care can cost as much as $120.
36. Pay today: Offer to pay immediately with cash or credit card to get a discount.
It’s true! If you are a cash-pay patient you can often get a 10-20% discount on your care. If you are uninsured and have never offered to pay up front, give it a shot – and if they do not offer you a discount, ask for one! Sometimes, even providers that accept your insurance, but do not offer a negotiated rate, will provide a discount off charges. You just simply need to ask!
54. Use in-network providers: Avoid using providers that are outside of your network.
This is a no-brainer! When you use an in-network provider not only will your insurance company cover a greater portion of the expense, but you will most likely also receive a discount on your care through the contractual agreement between your insurer and provider. To learn more about in vs. out-of-network providers check out our field guide (located near the bottom of the page).
97. Lose weight: Fight obesity, and you’ll save on your insurance premiums, as well as prevent weight related conditions.
Though this is often easier said than done, losing weight will not only help to decrease your risk level for weight related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, but it can also improve your mental health and wellness. Find a friend to help you set a goal and stick to it. Losing weight is easier when you have support from family and friends. Remember to start small too! Take it one pound at a time, and reward yourself for milestones such as 10, 20 and 30 lbs.
To find out more information on change:healthcare’s help tools such as our field guides and health term glossary visit help.changehealthcare.com.
