18 Ways to Cut US Medical Costs

There is no magic wand to reduce your medical expenses. But, using a combination of simple actions, you can significantly save. Writes about it MoneyTalksNews.

Photo: Shutterstock

The healthcare industry in the United States is a complex system. Insurance is nearly unaffordable, medical bills are indecipherable, and people often end up paying far more than they should. And in one recent study on the quality of medicine, the United States ranked 29th.

What can be done to reduce the cost of medicine.

1. Look for the best prices.

Visit sites like Healthcare Bluebook to help you find fair prices for treatments and services.

2. Stay on your network

When checking prices, do not forget to stay in the network of suppliers of your insurance company. And if you are doing something complicated, such as surgery, make sure that everyone who is about to touch you also enters your network.

3. Try not to call an ambulance

If you have a serious medical problem, then your only choice is to go to the emergency room. But if this is not the case, try using an urgent care center.

4. Double check accounts

According to lawyers, a huge number of mistakes are made in the accounts. Check your bills and if you don’t understand something, consult a professional.

5. Maintain your health

Be healthy as much as possible, this also applies to your teeth. Hate to brush your teeth? This is a walk in the park compared to what happens if you do not.

6. Consider medical tourism

Traveling to another country for medical care may seem extreme, but it is becoming an increasingly popular option, especially for selective occupations. Yes, you will need to go through additional legal review, but it may be worth it.

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7. Save checks

Most medical and dental expenses are refundable. Of course, you must spend more than 10% of your adjusted income in order to get a refund.

8. Ask for over-the-counter medicines.

Several types of prescription drugs have over-the-counter analogues. It is worth asking your doctor or pharmacist if your prescriptions have such alternatives. You will save money and take your prescribed medications.

9. Try generics

Generics are one of the best ways to save on medicines and other products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a website where you can find out if a generic is therapeutically equivalent to its branded version. Or ask your doctor about this.

11. Use reputable online pharmacies

The US pharmaceutical industry spends millions every year trying to convince you that everything you see on the Internet, especially from other countries, is poison. It is not true. Although, of course, you need to be careful, but there are reliable foreign and online pharmacies, as well as free services that can help you.

12. Check dose prices

Sometimes the cost of a drug per milligram varies depending on the dose.

For example, a 50 milligram tablet may cost more money per milligram than a 100 milligram tablet. Thus, if you take a 50 milligram dose of this pill every day, you can save by taking half a 100 milligram pill.

14. Hire a lawyer to sort out the bills.

Did you get a gigantic tricky score? There are people who will go through this in your place. They will find errors and overpriced.

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They are called medical account defenders. You can find them on the Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals website. Yes, you will pay for this service, but probably not as much as you paid without it. No money? Try the Patient Protection Fund at PatientAdvocate.org.

15. Buy Points Online

Online glasses can be bought much cheaper. The next time you visit your ophthalmologist, take all the necessary data to buy glasses and do it online.

16. Use HSA

If you have a high deductible health insurance plan, you are most likely eligible for a health savings account or HSA. Like the IRA, the HSA allows you to deduct contributions up to $ 7 for families ($ 100 for individuals). And when you use this money for health care, it is not taxed.

17. Use FSA

The Flexible Expense Account (FSA) allows you to pay medical expenses out of pocket using pre-tax money. From 2020, you can deposit up to $ 2750 a year, but if you do not use all of them, you can only transfer up to $ 500 to the next planning year.

18. Visit your doctor online

In connection with the coronavirus, a medical examination on your computer, smartphone or even phone received a second wind. These visits can be not only cheaper, but also mean that you do not need to go to the office and sit in the waiting room.

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