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If your medical bills are starting to hurt your wallet, it may be time to look for a cure. Fortunately there are many ways to cut costs on medical expenses. Here are just a few methods.
Tailor your insurance plan
Shopping around will get you the best insurance plan for you. Those with savings that rarely ever need to visit the doctor may be better off with a higher deductible. Those that are regularly in and out of hospital due to a condition may be able to tailor their insurance plan to that condition. Use health insurance comparison sites to find the best deal.
Use employer incentives and society discounts
If your employer offers a private insurance scheme, this is something that should definitely be taken advantage of. Some schemes may offer a personal allowance per year – even if you don’t ever need medical care you may be able to use this allowance to stock up medical supplies such as bandages and medicine, as well as being able to get free glasses and contact lenses in some stores. Being a member of some association meanwhile can get you a discount on healthcare. Many states have a Farm Bureau that you can join for a small fee each year in exchange for massive cuts on medical costs. You don’t need to be a farmer to join up – anyone can become a member.
Shop around for medicine
You may be able to save costs on prescriptions by opting out of the big name brands. Even if these are advertised more, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more effective. Most drugs have to be thoroughly tested and won’t have passed legislation if they weren’t effective. Try these generic brands and save your dollars.
Know your legal rights
In some cases you may be entitled to compensation which could cover medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, personal injury lawyers with a speciality in car accidents might be able to gain you some reimbursement which you can use towards getting patched up. In rarer circumstances where a surgery has gone wrong or you have been misdiagnosed you may be able to make a medical negligence claim. You can also seek legal action if a hospital or insurance company has billed incorrectly. Know your rights, but don’t take action unless you really feel you can win.
Consider advocacy programmes
Health advocacy services are largely used for patients making difficult medical decisions such as whether to have a surgery or trying to act as a decision maker for someone who is physically incapable. However, advocates can also help when it comes to financial planning – if you don’t have the funds for an operation or medical procedure, they may be able to help you negotiate a more affordable healthcare plan. Use a site such as this one to help find an advocate and ask if they can help you in any way.
