Saturday, February 28, 2009

Healthy Outlooks For Health Care Saving

By Alexandra Vrugt

Despite the economy crisis that many are experiencing today, there are ways for your family to save on health care. It's not as difficult as it may seem. Your family can have their health care needs met at a lower cost just by employing some of the same cost saving strategies that you currently use for managing your household's budget. Here are some ways to make health care more affordable for your family:

It pays to know people! Believe it or not some medical practices offer discounts or special services for referrals. Financially, it makes lots of sense for them. If one patient brings another, then, that's more money that they make. So, it's nothing for them to toss you a freebie or a co-pay reduction. Imagine the finances that they rack up for all of those visits, tests, and of course referrals! But more importantly, if you trust your health care provider, then it's good to tell others about them. Why not do it and get a little financial break along the way?

Buy generic drugs. There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows that the "name brand" drugs are no more effective than the generics. Actually, the generics you can buy for cheap and still have a few dollars left for other medical expenses. But, if you pay for the name brands, you can expect to pay an arm and a leg. Doesn't $1 or $2 sound better for a 30-day supply than an over-budget price of $200 for the same thing?

Keep an eye out for those eyeglass sales! Every year, at the start of the back to school season, many eyeglass stores and superstores such as Walmart have incredible sales on eyeglasses. Some will offer discounts of 50-75% off or buy one, get one free sales. This is not only a great time to get glasses for your children to use for going back to school, it is also a perfect time to pick up a spare pair for each member of your family. In addition to the discounts at the popular stores, some may actually participate in eye care programs for those with low to moderate incomes. With these programs, which are usually in partnership with a local hospital or health care company, children can get their eyeglasses completely free!

Make sure to get your gift cards! Drug stores are now offering one of the best incentives ever for transferring your prescription...FREE MONEY! Usually given as a gift card or in actual dollars, you could get enough to do something special for yourself or your family just by switching from one pharmacy to another. You are not limited to just one switch, do it whenever you get a new prescription for the maximum payout.

Clipping those coupons! Check the local circulars, the in-store flyers, and the Sunday newspaper for coupons for different health care services and products. You may be surprised at what you can actually get for free. From exams to drug samples, these coupons may end up being a lifesaver for you or someone in your family.

Healthcare is a part of life, but it doesn't have to be a financial burden for your family. Look for deals and opportunities for saving. Cost comparisons and coupons will help you to know when the best time is to make certain health care decisions. But, always remember to do what will work best for your family and their health even when the world is experiencing an economy crisis!

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment