These days, so much in the world of health care is uncertain. Unfortunately, one thing everyone can count on is paying for medical expenses that insurance won't cover.
According to a recent study, out-of-pocket medical expenses for adults with employer-sponsored health coverage jumped 34 percent between 2004 and 2007, from $545 to $729. Fortunately, there are things you can do to trim your medical bills while we wait to see what the future holds.
Prescriptions
Ask your doctor for a sample of the medication he or she's prescribing before filling the prescription.
"Typically, you'll receive one or two weeks of medication. ... That's anywhere from $15 to $150 in savings," says Dian Luffman, of change:healthcare (www.changehealthcare.com.)
You can also net big savings by going the generic route. For example, according to Luffman, a one-month prescription of Ambien can cost as much as $264 a month, while the generic brand can be as low as $29 a month.
Getting your meds by mail can also lessen the burden. Savings will differ from one insurance plan to another, but most savings are significant.
"In many cases, you can purchase a 90-day supply via mail order for the same price as 30 days from a retail pharmacy," says Luffman.
Bills
Sometimes getting a lower medical bill is as easy as asking. You may be under the impression that asking your doctor to work with you on price, much as the way you'd ask a contractor or car salesperson, is an etiquette no-no. You're wrong.
"Hospitals and facilities want to receive payment for their services quickly, so try negotiating," says Luffman.
Call the billing office and mention that you're having trouble paying the full amount. Then, ask if you can get a discount for prompt payment. You can also make them an offer or ask to set up a payment plan.
Hospital visits
"If you're having a service provided inside a hospital, like physical therapy, X-ray or radiology, it's going to be more expensive there," says Robert Hendrick of change:healthcare and co-author of "My Healthcare is Killing Me." For example, according to a study by his organization, a physical-therapy session at a hospital in middle Tennessee can run nearly $115. Visit a nearby physician and your bill drops to about $24.
Quantity vs. quality
It's simple. Fewer visits to the doctor mean fewer medical bills. Before you visit a doctor, hospital or physician, check out their complication and mortality rate with Healthgrades.com. Go to a hospital with low rates and odds that you'll be paying for complications down the road decrease.
"Say you go in for a normal procedure and you have a complication afterwards that costs $5,000 and your insurance is an 80-20 plan. That could be $1,000 of unnecessary costs associated with their care," says Dr. Rick May, senior physician consultant with Healthgrades.com.
Get healthy
Prevention pays. For many people, getting and staying healthy can greatly reduce medical costs. Virgin HealthMiles (www.virginhealthmiles.com), founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, is one such program that offers incentives to move toward a healthier lifestyle. Adopting these changes can both make you money and reduce your health-care costs.
The program is available through employers and health clubs and soon will be tailored for individuals. If you take part in the program, you'll earn what are called "HealthMiles" for activities like exercising, measuring your blood pressure and weighing yourself on a regular basis. HealthMiles can be cashed in for "HealthCash." HealthCash can be used to purchase gift cards at more than 50 retailers nationwide.
Shelley Hodelka, a participant in the program, has lost weight, seen her asthma improve and as a result, is paying less when it comes to medical bills.
"I saved at least $1,200 a year on the premiums for my health insurance. Since losing weight, I went to a plan with an $800 deductible instead of a $300 deductible," says Hodelka. Hodelka also saves on her prescriptions and receives HealthCash by participating in the program.
With reporting by Sarah Compo.
Jean Chatzky is the financial editor for NBC's "Today," a contributing editor for More magazine, and a contributor to "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
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