Illness and ill-health can arrive quite unexpectedly. The impact of a costly surgery on an average family budget can be disastrous, even more so if you do not have a health care insurance coverage. You have to take an extra effort to reduce the bite of the financial crunch by slashing your medical bills.
According to a new national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, families began to feel the financial pressure when their health care expenses exceeded 2.5% of family income.
Tips for the Uninsured on How to Cut Healthcare Costs
The following tips will help you gain control over your healthcare costs and slash medical bills.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. A well balanced nutritious diet, along with sufficient sleep and rest, regular exercise and avoidance of bad habits like smoking will keep most illnesses at bay. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water, take alcohol in moderation, keep optimum weight, practice relaxation techniques- all these will help you keep physically and mentally fit.
- Avoid medical consultations for common conditions. Body heals itself most of the time. Give it a chance.
- Go online with your symptoms. There are many online sites, like justanswer, where you can get personal answers from medical professionals. The only precaution you have to take is to ensure that your query is answered by a concerned specialist only. Remember, though, that online consultations cannot replace a direct consultation with your doctor.
- Consult your primary physician first. Do not approach specialist directly even if you do not require a referral. Most of the time your primary physician may be able to fix your problem.
- Ask for special prices. You might be surprised to learn that most patients who bargain do get better deals from doctors and hospitals.
- Request generic prescriptions. Generic medications are much cheaper than branded medicines.
- Request alternative, cost effective medications. Latest medications are not necessarily the best. In fact, the safety profiles of most of the newer medications are not yet proven. A couple of years back, a new group of costly anti-diabetic medications became unpopular after increased incidence of heart failure was noted in users.
- Have a heart to heart talk with your doctor. Ask him whether the costly procedure or investigations he has advised is absolutely necessary. Are there any alternatives? Any institutions providing the same services at affordable prices?
- Cut down on OTC vitamins. Americans are spending millions of dollars every year on vitamins and antioxidants, most of which are flushed down the drain in the urine. If you are taking a normal balanced diet, these are unnecessary. Unless advised by your doctor, stop the habit of popping the vitamins.
- Look out for special discounts and health package offers. Seasonally, private practices and hospitals announce rebates on investigations and annual checkups. Make use of them.
- Attend the outpatient department of a teaching hospital or medical school, if you have one in your neighborhood. As they need you to teach the medical students, the medical bills are highly subsidized in such institutions. Also, be happy that you are contributing your bit to the advancement of modern medicine.
- If everything else fails and you have hit rock bottom when the illness came knocking, approach charitable organizations in your area for assistance.
- Finally, be on the lookout for affordable health care insurance. Healthcare insurance can save you from lifelong debts. Joining group insurances will slash the insurance premium, which makes them an attractive option. Talk with your community leaders, parents association of your kids’ school and your employer to find one suitable for you.
Always be prepared for the worst. Make it a habit of keeping something aside for the rainy days.
Related Reading: Tips on Reducing Health Care Costs for the Insured
Hanish Babu - Dr.Hanish Babu, MD is a dermatologist and a feature writer on Suite101.com with more than 200 articles related to skin diseases on the ...
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