Buried In Medical Debt? 5 Clever Ways To Save Money On Health Care

One-third of Americans have trouble paying all their medical bills. If you're one of them, you probably feel like you will never get all of your medical bills paid off. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to save on health care and lower your medical bills. If you succeed in lowering your bills for future appointments and procedures, you will be able to start paying down your medical debt. Following are five clever ways to save money on health care. 

Get a Deal on Insurance

One of the best ways to save money on health care is to lower the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket. This means getting a good insurance policy. Look into many different insurance companies, including companies like Taylor Insurance Agencies, to see which company can provide you with the best policy. To maximize your benefit, be sure to look for policies that include your doctors and medications. Pay attention to the numbers as well. Policies with low amounts for your premium, deductible and co-pay will save you the most money. You may also want to see if you qualify for a subsidy through the Affordable Care Act exchange. 

Shop around for Medications

The price for medications can vary greatly from one pharmacy to the next. The cost for medications also fluctuate. To make sure you get the best deal possible every time you fill a prescription, look up the current prices for your prescription online in a prescription database before having your script filled. Some websites, including pharmaceutical websites, offer coupons for medications as well. 

Ask for Discounts

If you have to pay cash for your medical visits and procedures, don't hesitate to call the hospital or doctors' office and ask for a discount up front. If you can negotiate the cost before you see the doctor, you can save a great deal of money. Additionally, many hospitals have discount programs and financial aid for patients who meet certain qualifications. 

Keep Copies of Test Results

Keep a copy of your medical records and test results. If you have to go to a doctor who is not in your hospital network or if you have to be seen while you're out of town, being able to supply your own medical records can save you money. Not only will it save you the fee many places charge to request your records, it will negate the need for duplicate tests, which could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Take Advantage of Free Screenings

Most communities host events where free health screenings are offered. Take advantage of them. Free screenings for breast cancer, diabetes and blood pressure can save you money and uncover small issues before they become huge, costly problems.

As you can see, there are several ways you can save on out-of-pocket expenses for health care. If you're being buried alive in a mountain of medical debt, take steps to reduce your health care burden today. 


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