Too often healthcare bills have caused people to blow through their savings, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these cost saving tips below so you don’t have to sacrifice your health or bank account.
Know Your Price Comparison Resources
Price transparency is finally heading in the right direction. Hospitals systems are now required by law to provide upfront cost estimates for certain medical services. Healthy Price is a tool that has healthcare costs, quality, and proximity data all in one place to easily shop for care. If we don’t have what you are looking for, there are other resources out there. Your health insurance company may have an online price tool, your employer may be working with a company that provides cost information, and finally you can start searching hospitals near you and check out their websites for pricing.
Find Cash Discounts or Coupons
Paying the cash price is often cheaper than the negotiated insurance rates. Hospitals are now required to provide cash pricing along with insurance rates for services and you have the right to know this information. One area where cash coupons can save hundreds to thousands on healthcare costs are medications. GoodRx.com can save you up to 80% on prescription medications!
Choose Specific Imaging and Lab Facilities Over Hospitals
Stand-alone lab and imaging centers usually cost much less than scheduling at the hospitals. Large hospitals charge higher prices to cover their overhead costs, which can be thousands of dollars more expensive despite the quality being roughly the same. Your doctor can always arrange for imaging or labs to be done elsewhere so be sure to ask them.
Consider Care At a Direct Primary Care Practice
Choosing a primary care provider who has a direct primary care model can be helpful for patients with high deductible plans. Most people do not meet their deductible for the year. So it will likely be cheaper paying a flat fee of $99 per month to have unlimited visits with your primary care doctor as well as discounted labs/imaging than working towards reaching that deductible.
Choose Primary Care Over Emergency Room When Appropriate
It is really important to have an established primary care provider. 90% of medical concerns can be handled by a primary care doctor. So if you are having a sore throat or back pain most of the time, it can be appropriately managed by your PCP vs. unnecessarily going to an Emergency Room for several hundred to thousands of dollars. Establish care with a PCP!
Check That Your Provider & Facility Are BOTH In-Network
Insurance coverage can be very confusing and tricky. Sometimes your primary care doctor is considered “in-network” and covered by insurance, but then the facility they work at isn’t covered. This can lead to significant surprise bills. Make sure to check with your insurance company that both are in-network.
