7 Tips to Help You Take Control of Your Healthcare Costs

1. Shop around for the best prescription prices.

You can’t assume that you’ll pay the same price for the same drug at every pharmacy in your area. In fact, you can’t even assume that paying for a prescription with insurance will be cheaper than paying full price yourself! In some cases, the copay an insurance company sets for that drug might actually be higher than what the pharmacy itself charges its cash-paying customers. When you bring in a new script to be filled, ask the pharmacy technician what the cash price is for that drug. (You’ll need to balance whether or not it’s worthwhile to use your insurance anyway in order to meet a deductible; that will depend on your specific situation.)

For generic drugs, remember that some supermarkets like Wegmans, Kroger, and Wal-Mart each have their own list of $4 generics.

2. Ask for coupons and samples.

Pharmaceutical sales reps often visit doctors’ offices with coupons and samples of the drugs they represent. Your doctor might very well have a handy sample and/or coupon for the drug he or she has just prescribed you, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. If it’s a new prescription for a medicine you haven’t tried before, it’s quite reasonable to ask about a sample before committing to a full month’s supply. Just remember that there may be restrictions on samples for some drugs, including controlled substances.

If your healthcare practitioner doesn’t have any coupons for your new prescription, the next place to check is the drug manufacturer’s website. Some pharmaceutical companies also offer assistance programs for people who don’t have prescription drug coverage.

3. Take advantage of community wellness programs.

Many communities offer health fairs and other events or programs where you can get wellness services for free or at a relatively low cost. Depending on the resources your community has available, those services may include free screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV, nutritional counseling, or even reduced-cost flu shots. These community services are especially helpful if you don’t have any insurance coverage.

4. Check over every bill and statement.

Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, when a mistake involves a medical bill, it could potentially cost the patient a lot more money. Request an itemized bill or statement each time you undergo medical treatment, and ask that everything be written in “plain English,” not medical billing codes. Then go over the statement, keeping your insurance plan’s explanation of benefits (if you have insurance) nearby for comparison. Carefully check the statement for errors such as duplicate charges, incorrect quantities of medications or supplies, an extra day for a hospital stay, or tests that a provider may originally have ordered for you but then canceled.

5. Negotiate major bills.

If you have to undergo an expensive procedure and know that you will struggle to pay for it, get in contact with the hospital’s billing department and ask about financial aid programs, payment plans, and/or discounts for paying cash.

6. Let providers know upfront if you’ll be paying cash.

Some providers will give you a discount for paying cash, so ask when you schedule your appointment. If you don’t have insurance or if healthcare costs are a concern for you, let your doctor know at the beginning of your visit. Doctors today are generally more aware of and empathetic to the fact that medical costs are a real struggle for many of their patients. If you tell your practitioner that you need to keep your healthcare bills low, he or she may be able to help you curb costs.

7. Remember an ounce of prevention…

Is worth a pound of cure. Practice preventative self-care to help keep your personal health as much under your own control as possible. Adopt an exercise routine that’s right for your age and fitness level. Aim to eat healthy most of the time. Try your hardest to kick unhealthy habits like smoking, and get help doing so if you need it. Keep your teeth in good shape. Don’t neglect your mental health. Finally, keep up with prescribed medications and treatment for chronic conditions—yes, it may cost more money than you’d like, but it will be cheaper in the long-term than dealing with a condition that’s gotten out of control.