LPN to RN Blog

Whether you’re in the health care industry or not, you know that health care costs are soaring. However, there are some ways to get your medical bills under control. Here, we’ll look at 100 different ways you can save money on health care.

Insurance

Here you’ll learn how to save on your premiums and more.

1. Increase your out of pocket costs: Forego luxuries like deductibles and co-payments, and you’ll have lower monthly premiums.
2. Reassess your needs: Consider what benefits you really need on your health insurance.
3. Change your coinsurance ratio: Raise your ratio to cut your monthly premium.
4. Never stop shopping: Always be on the hunt for the best deal on insurance.
5. Have a good credit score: A good credit history can help lower your health insurance plans with an individual plan.
6. Don’t take no for an answer: Go through appeals processes with your insurance company if they deny your medical claims.
7. Follow the rules: Make sure you know all of the rules for your insurance program to avoid surprise charges.
8. Get a high deductible plan: Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be.
9. Know what you’re getting: Be sure you know what you’re getting for your premiums.
10. Spread it out: If you need extensive services consider spreading out the cost between different plan years.
11. Customize your plan: Get an insurance policy that’s customized to your needs to get savings.
12. Ask for exclusions: You may be able to cut down your costs by excluding certain coverages.
13. Plan ahead for emergencies: Know which providers are covered in your health plan before you need them.
14. Get married: You can save on health insurance by getting coverage with your spouse.
15. Improve your driving record: A good driving record can help you get a better health insurance rate.
16. Shop for the best rates: Use websites and agents to help you find the best rate for health insurance.
17. Increase your co-pay: Reduce your premium by paying a slightly higher co-pay for doctor visits.
18. Keep up coverage between jobs: Avoid a lapse in coverage by using COBRA insurance.
19. Consider catastrophic coverage: If you’re generally healthy, get limited insurance with a high deductible just for emergencies.
20. Get a part time job: If you’re self employed and need insurance, consider getting a part time job for the coverage.
21. Stay on your parents’ coverage: Stay covered as a dependent for as long as possible to save money.
22. Don’t be risky: Avoid dangerous hobbies like mountain climbing, skydiving, and car racing that can increase your insurance premiums.
23. Use the best plan: If you and your spouse have group insurance plans, find out who has the best plan available, and use it.
24. Use a health savings account (HSA): With a health savings account, you can put away pre-tax contributions that can grow tax free and use until your deductible is met./li>
25. Shop for private coverage: Check out the pricing on private insurance to compare your costs to that of your employer sponsored plan.
26. Become a part of a trade organization: Find a group rate discount through your professional or trade organization.
27. Juggle family coverage: Don’t automatically assume that your entire family should be on the same coverage-consider splitting spouses on different plans that work best for them.

Free Care

Find out how to get free health care here.

28. Take advantage of state programs: Many states offer free or low cost insurance and/or health care, especially for women and children or those who have low income.
29. Use free screenings: Get early detection at free screenings like the Wellness Tour.
30. Go to federally funded clinics: You can get immunizations, checkups, and dental care, while paying what you can afford through special clinics.

Negotiation

These strategies can help you negotiate a better health care experience.

31. Be nice: When negotiating, remember that you’ll catch more flies with honey.
32. Find a doctor who will negotiate: Shop around to find a doctor who can work with your budget.
33. Conquer fear: Don’t be afraid to haggle.
34. Talk to your doctor: Let your doctor know if you’ve lost your job or can’t deal with your deductible to see if you can negotiate your price.
35. Barter: Offer your services in exchange for health care.
36. Pay today: Offer to pay immediately with cash or credit card to get a discount.
37. Shop for tests: Compare prices among different labs and clinics.
38. Go to schools: Visit dental or medical schools to get a discount on care from well-supervised students.
39. Use the CPT code: With a CPT code, you can compare costs.
40. Ask for better payment options: Ask for free financing or extended payment options.
41. Disclose your income: Share how much money you make so that billers understand your hardship.
42. Pay cash: Paying for procedures up front can help you get a discount.
43. Use an advocate: Patient-advocate services can help you with disputes.
44. Ask for Medicare rates: Find out if you can get Medicare’s prenegotiated rates.
45. Question follow up appointments: Find out if your follow up can be completed via phone call.
46. Learn about your coverage: Call your insurance to find out how much you’re covered for the service you need, and talk to your doctor about staying within that limit.
47. Pay attention to little things: Bring your own hospital toiletries or your prescription medicine.
48. Don’t assume you have to pay full price: Many hospitals will settle bills for less than what you owe-you just have to ask.
49. Get medical financial aid: If your medical debt exceeds a certain ratio, you may be able to only have to pay a portion of your bill.
50. Ask if it’s necessary: When tests are ordered, ask if you really need them.

Kids

Read these tips to find out how to save money on child health care.

51. Don’t postpone necessary healthcare: Be sure to stay on top of essential health visits for kids.
52. Take safety precautions: Require that children wear bike helmets and wear safety belts.
53. Prevent overeating: Save your children from obesity by stopping overeating.

Savings

These ideas can help you find savings in health care.

54. Use in-network providers: Avoid using providers that are outside of your network.
55. Shop around for prescriptions: Check out pharmacies online and off to find out who has the best deal for your drugs.
56. Use cost-comparison tools: Many insurers will allow you to compare your costs between doctors before you make your visit.
57. Consider a mail order pharmacy: You may be able to save money by ordering drugs from a reputable online pharmacy.
58. Don’t use the ER if you don’t have to: Use your primary care physician or urgent care center instead of heading to the ER.
59. Look to other countries: Consider having surgery outside of the US where US-trained physicians can treat you for less.
60. Ask for generic drugs: Generic drugs offer an incredible savings on brand names, so ask for them whenever possible.
61. Go to local clinics: Use clinics designed for simple ailments to save money.
62. Use big retailers for your prescriptions: Fill your prescriptions with retailers that can offer you savings.
63. Ask for medications on your plan’s list: Check out your plan’s preferred drug list and request that your doctor prescribe you medicine from it.
64. Try alternative treatments: You may be able to save money by using alternative treatments like acupuncture or yoga.
65. Go to Planned Parenthood: For many women (and men), Planned Parenthood offers lowered fees for reproductive services.
66. Join the Farm Bureau: Become a part of the Farm Bureau to get benefits like discounted health insurance.
67. Avoid duplicate tests: Keep your medical records and share them among your doctors to make sure you don’t have to take duplicate tests.
68. Use your flex spending account: Put money in your pre-tax flex spending account, and make plans to use it all before the end of the year.
69. Keep a safety net: Keep savings handy just in case of medical emergency.
70. Split pills: Make your prescription last twice as long by ordering a higher dose, and splitting it each time.
71. DIY lab work: Get blood and urine analyses using independent labs that can save you money and mail results to your doctor.
72. Use discount plans: Become a part of health benefits clubs to save on visits, drugs, services, and more with participating health care providers.
73. Use insurance discounts: Find out if your insurance plan offers discounts for acupuncture, gyms, massages, or weight loss programs.
74. Ask for a 90-day supply: Avoid some copays on maintenance drugs by getting a larger quantity each time.
75. Use nurse hotlines: Instead of making a visit, use a nurse hotline to find out if you can wait to see your doctor instead of rushing to the emergency room.
76. Ask for samples: Ask your doctor if they have samples to give you, which can save you on at least a few days of medication.
77. Carefully check out bills: Look for mistakes in your bill and promptly request corrections.
78. Use tax incentives: Be sure to take the proper health care deductions on your taxes.
79. Keep track of your expenses: Stay on top of your expenses, as you may be able to write them off.
80. Do your paperwork: Many insurance companies require that you contact them before or within a certain time period of visiting the emergency room or having surgery.

Preventive Medicine

Keep yourself from needing health care in the first place by taking these preventive measures.

81. Stop smoking: Cut your insurance costs by quitting smoking, and help prevent costly conditions down the road.
82. Know warning signs: Pay attention to warning signs, and know when it’s time to see a doctor before things get worse.
83. Go vegetarian: Reduce common diseases by eating a plant based diet.
84. Wash your hands: Avoid the common cold and flu by washing your hands regularly.
85. Sleep well: Help your body help itself by getting the proper amount of sleep.
86. Use disease management programs: Take advantage of disease management programs to help better treat your disease.
87. Eat colorfully: Lower your risk for diseases by eating colorful fruits and vegetables.
88. Be careful of back pain: Be sure to bend with your knees and avoid twisting while lifting heavy objects.
89. Plan for long term care: Find out how you can safeguard your assets and save money by discussing long term care with a financial adviser.
90. Immunize: Be sure to keep up with childhood immunization on the recommended schedule.
91. Take advantage of wellness incentives: Many employers offer financial incentives to employees that participate in company wellness incentives.
92. Eat a balanced diet: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and avoid sweets and fatty foods.
93. Use sunscreen: Wear sunscreen and avoid tanning salons to help prevent skin cancer.
94. Use aspirin if you’re middle aged: Decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease with aspirin.
95. Feed your brain: Eat foods that are rich in essential vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids.
96. Get genetic testing: Find out what diseases you’re most at risk for so that you can better prevent them.
97. Lose weight: Fight obesity, and you’ll save on your insurance premiums, as well as prevent weight related conditions.
98. Stay active: Keep your heart and lungs healthy with regular exercise.
99. Exercise your brain: Avoid mental health problems by exercising your brain.
100. Laugh: Get relief from depression by laughing often.