When it comes to health care, it is important to consider all the options available to you that could potentially save you time and money. Learning to shop for value when it comes to health care could save you thousands of dollars on your medical costs over time.
Here are 10 healthcare savings tips from our independent agents at McKnight & McKnight Insurance solutions so you can start saving today.
Choose Your Health Plan Wisely
Choosing a plan with the lowest premiums or sticking with the same plan year after year may not be the best option for you. When choosing a plan, think about the health needs of you and your family. If your plan has higher premiums, more health costs will be covered, which can be a great choice if you or a family member has a chronic condition or disease like diabetes.
If you rarely need medical care, you may want to consider a healthcare plan with a higher deductible. You will pay lower monthly premiums allowing you to save on healthcare costs throughout the year.
Stay In-Network
If you have an HMO healthcare plan, it is important to stay in-network, as these plans often don’t cover out-of-network care except for emergencies. If you have a PPO, which includes coverage from out-of-network providers, it can still be quite expensive if you seek care outside of your network. You’ll likely have to pay a higher deductible, and you’ll have a higher out-of-pocket spending limit.
Make sure that the facility or doctor that you are planning to visit is in-network before you schedule a check-up or procedure.
Stay Insured
Despite the cost of healthcare, it offers significant discounts on most health care services as well as protection from having to pay out of pocket for expensive health bills if you are in an accident or need a costly surgery.
If you have an employer-based health plan, make sure that you understand your options for retaining your health coverage.
- First, you may be able to extend your current coverage for up to 18 months with COBRA, but keep in mind you will be paying the entire cost of your insurance plus a fee.
- Secondly, you may be eligible to enroll in an Affordable Care Act health care plan through a Special Enrollment Period.
- Further, if your 65th birthday is coming up you will be eligible to apply for a Medicare plan.
While You’re Here > What is a Special Enrollment Period?
Get Appropriate Care
When you aren’t feeling well, you may want to find the first care facility that has an open appointment for treatment. Yet not all providers will cost the same.
Ask yourself, do you need to visit an emergency room or can you wait for an appointment with an in-network provider? These options have different copays and can save you hundreds of dollars depending on the issue that you need treatment for.
Not sure which health plan is right for you? Don’t spend hours shopping for insurance on your own! Call us at (866) 525-0368 or schedule a quick phone appointment online!
Use Your Benefits
This is important; you are paying for healthcare coverage each month, so make sure you are taking advantage of your benefits!
- Get routine health screenings. These tests can detect health problems early and you often don’t have to pay a copay for health screenings, annual wellness visits, or vaccinations.
- If you are pregnant, get prenatal care to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.
- Use free or discounted services. Many health plans offer discounts on eyewear, gym memberships, and more.
Take Advantage of Telehealth
If your insurance plan covers it, you may be able to save money if you take advantage of telehealth visits with your doctor by phone or video chat.
With telehealth, you can forgo the trip to the doctor and get the treatment you need for common ailments like upper respiratory infections, allergies, the flu, and bronchitis. You can even send photos to your doctor to get treatment for rashes and other skin issues.
Look Closely at Your Bill
It is important to take a look at your healthcare bills as you might find mistakes. Keep track of your doctor’s visits, tests, and medications, and compare them against your bills. If you find an error, request a corrected bill from your provider and notify your insurer.
Save on Medication
There are a few ways that you can cut costs on your prescription medication including:
- Switching to generic medications, which use the same ingredients but cost less than brand-name drugs.
- Asking your provider if there is a less expensive medication that treats the same condition
- Seeing if you can receive your medication through the mail
- Using a preferred pharmacy
- Enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan if over 65
Consider an HSA or FSA
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are becoming more popular. These kinds of accounts allow you to save a portion of your pre-tax income, which can then be used to pay for medical expenses including copays, coinsurance, prescriptions, and more.
Learn More > Health Insurance Terms You Need to Know
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Taking steps to lead a healthier lifestyle will help you feel better overall and lower your health care costs.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise often
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
- Keep your weight in a healthy range
- Learn how to manage your stress
Call Our Health Coverage Experts
Ready to save on healthcare costs? Our independent agents at McKnight & McKnight Insurance are here to help you get the coverage that best suits your needs and your budget.
We are licensed in many states and are ready to make the process of enrolling in health coverage fast, simple, and friendly!
Ready to get started? Fill out our online questionnaire or call us for a quote today; 866-525-0368!
