words Al Woods
Why does caring for your health cost so much these days? Whether it’s going for an annual physical or paying for a prescription, the expense is often more than the average person can bear. The cost of healthcare is often so high that many people will neglect their physical and emotional needs as a means of saving money.
If you’ve come to feel like you have to choose financial survival over health, you’re not alone. Be that as it may, overlooking your well-being can harm your quality of life. So, the better option is to figure out how to reduce costs. Below are some suggestions.
Shop For Affordable Insurance
The most effective way to save money on healthcare is to purchase insurance. The policy covers all or a portion of the cost of paying for everything from doctor’s visits and hospitalizations to prescriptions and surgical procedures. As you might imagine, however, health insurance isn’t cheap.
Fortunately, there are various insurance companies to consider. Instead of going with the big-name brands, which tend to cost more, shop around for local providers. Quartz health insurance, for instance, offers policies to residents in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. The company can pass down those savings to their customers with fewer overhead costs.
When considering your options for affordable health insurance, you must look beyond the quoted amount. Evaluate the policy to see what medical services are covered, review the cost of co-pays and the out-of-pocket percentages for prescriptions, surgeries, and other treatments. The ultimate goal is to have adequate health coverage and few overall expenses.
Use Coupons And Prescription Cards
Prescriptions are another healthcare expense that’s overwhelming for the average American. Medications can cost approximately $1200 per year per person but can be higher for someone suffering from a long-term condition. The good news is there are ways to save on prescriptions.
Pharmaceutical companies offer discounts and coupons on medications. You can ask your doctor, check at your local pharmacy, or complete an online search to find coupons. Medical patients are also encouraged to sign up for prescription cards as they provide customers with as much as 80% savings on essential medications.
Generic And Over-The-Counter Brands
Another way to save on prescription costs is to consider generic and over-the-counter brands. When you take your prescription to the pharmacy to get it filled, ask the pharmacist if there’s a generic brand. Much like the food you purchase in a grocery store, generic brands are often cheaper than big-name pharmaceuticals. Another option is to purchase an over-the-counter medication. If your doctor wrote a prescription for cough medicine like Robitussin, buying it from a store may be cheaper than filling the prescription. Simply talk to the pharmacists to determine the best option.
Improve Your Lifestyle
One of the most overlooked ways to reduce the costs of healthcare is a changed lifestyle. If you eat a poor diet, fail to exercise, mismanage existing health conditions, or maintain bad habits like using drugs, you increase your risk of developing life-altering problems that cost a lot to treat. Ultimately, the worse your physical and mental health is, the more you pay for health insurance, medical visits, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment.
Make an effort to prioritize your health and wellness to save money. Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising at least 3-5 times a week, and getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep is a great place to start. If you have existing medical conditions, follow the doctor’s instructions on how to ease symptoms and prevent more severe consequences. Taking these steps will generate hundreds if not thousands of dollars in savings each year.
Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is a must. However, due to the costs and accessibility of healthcare in the US, many people can’t afford to get the medical help they need. Although there’s nothing anyone can do to change the rising healthcare costs, following the above tips can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
