Tips for Saving Health Care Costs – Without Sacrificing Quality – Part 2

Here is Part 2 of Saving Health Care Costs. Understanding the rules of your plan plus doing a little homework might save some money.

4. Play by the rules. Annually review your insurer's rules regarding emergency care and whom to call for approval. That way, you'll have a plan in place before an emergency, and you won't get stuck with extra charges because you didn't know the drill. Plus most plans have lower cost clinic options for routine care. Be sure to take advantage of this.

5. Get your drugs through the mail. Mail-order pharmacies often provide a three-month supply of drugs for the same price as a one-month supply at a local pharmacy. This strategy could save you more than $1,000 per year on the cost of Crestor, for example.

6. Compare drug costs at DestinationRx.com. This site shows generic equivalents and therapeutic alternatives to your medications and how much you can save through mail order or pill splitting.

7. Get no-fee preventive care. Schedule a screening. Many insurance plans must now provide certain preventive-care screenings without charging deductibles or co-payments. Depending on your age, this rule may apply to blood-pressure, diabetes and cholesterol tests, mammograms and colonoscopies, flu shots, well-baby and well-child visits, and other preventive services. Be sure to check with your carrier for the services that are available to you.

Source: Kimberly Lankford – kiplinger.com