If you have ever thought that the cost of your medical care doesn’t matter because your company or health plan pays the bills, think again. You do pay. Most people have to pay co-payments and deductibles. Employers pay for health care coverage by restricting wage increases. Governments pay for health care by increasing taxes or
reducing other benefits. As medical costs go up, there is less money available for housing, education, wage increases, etc. These costs do affect you. If you can help reduce health care costs, you help yourself
and everyone else. Once you become a partner with your doctor, you can do a lot to reduce your health care costs. The goal is to get just the care you need, nothing more, and certainly, nothing less.
Nine Ways to Cut Costs
(but not quality)

1. Stay healthy. Healthy lifestyles and regular preventive services are the best ways to keep costs down. See Chapter 2. Also see Chapters 16, 17, and 18 of this book for ideas on how to stay healthy your whole life.

2. Use self-care when you can. Every time you successfully manage a health problem at home, you reduce the cost of health care for you and for others.

. Get your professional care from a primary care provider. Family physicians, internists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and other primary care providers are the best place to start for most health problems. See page 5 for more information.

4. Reduce your medical test costs. Don’t agree to expensive medical

tests until you understand how they will help you. Unneeded tests are often done because “it is standard practice” or to protect doctors from possible malpractice suits. The only good reason to do a test is because the benefits to you outweigh the risks and the costs. No test can be done without your consent. See page 8 for more
information.

5. Reduce your drug costs. Ask your doctor about every prescribed medication. Ask what would happen if you chose not to take a medication. Don’t expect to get a prescription for every illness; sometimes self-care or nondrug remedies are all you need. See page 9 for more information.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS