Healthcare affordability is one of the hottest issues on the news right now. Debates around single-payer healthcare systems, pharmaceutical affordability and community-based proactive health programs fill our screens and newspapers.
A study from medical malpractice group Weiss & Paarz recently found that the average American can expect to spend over $72,500 on healthcare visits throughout their lifetime.
With massive national conversations, it can be easy to forget that healthcare decisions are extremely personal. While some matters are simply out of your hands, there are ways that you can choose more affordable and more quality healthcare.
Here are some tips that can keep money in the bank and you out of the doctor’s office.
Don’t Just Focus on Reactive Care
Recently, our national healthcare system has come under fire for it’s reactive approach to treating illness and sudden needs. For instance, across the country, hospitals all have plans in place for treating cardiac arrest, though little have intensive programs to regularly treat and check-in with patients at risk of heart disease. According to Med City News, a new technology that can independently trace and monitor patient health and avert problems before they occur can save the system billions of dollars. The same can be done at home. With a healthy diet, exercise, and mental health regimen, and a planned approach to monitor possible issues, you can help identify problems before they turn into costly emergencies.
Do the homework when choosing a plan
Many people don’t have many options when it comes to healthcare plans, but if you do, it’s important to approach choosing a plan with heightened scrutiny. After all, your health is at stake. Some health factors that might change which plan you should choose include whether you have pre-existing conditions, whether you work in a high-risk job, and what family networks you have that can offer lower costs for you and your loved ones.
Avoid Blindly Following a Costly System
There are lots of ways to rack up big bills in healthcare. Fortunately, there are also lots of ways to save. Before you get any new service, procedure or prescription, simply ask if there are other options available. For instance, if you are receiving treatment, see if you can get that treatment done at an outpatient care center. Or, instead of picking up a prescription through a third party pharmacy, see if your medicine can be delivered through one of many medicine mail-delivery systems.
Appeal Your Bills
After an emotionally and physically draining medical experience, most people just want the situation to be over and done with. For many, this means paying the bill with no consideration of changing the final total. However, you can absolutely negotiate medical costs, potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars. There are definitely some complex steps involved in the process, but appealing bills is worth it.
Overall, there’s no denying that healthcare is expensive, but by being smart and thorough in all steps of the health process, you can absolutely make the most of (and pay the least with) whatever plan you have.