Health insurance is one of the hottest debated topics today, especially with the presidential elections right around the corner. Many people struggle to afford their medical bills and every year stress about how much money they will be spending on these costs.
I was talking to someone at work the other day that is not a full-time employee and so does not get offered benefits from the company. In Massachusetts it is the laws to have medical insurance otherwise you have to pay a lot of fees. He told me that he would rather pay the fees than spend money on medical insurance. I then proceeded to ask him what he would do if something happened and he just said that he would cross that road when he got to it. I think this is common among many people, especially if they have just graduated from college and have not yet found a full-time job. The scary part is what if something serious does happen, you then have to find a way to cover the costs.
Everyone wants to lower their medical costs, including eye appointments, the dentist, medications, etc.
Here are some ways that might work for you:
1. Ask for free samples – This won’t work with every doctor, but often times if your doctor is recommending a medication for you to take, they have free samples at their office as well. I know when I went on a specific medication recommended by my doctor she gave me 4 samples for free which saved me over $200 over the course of 4 months.
2. Look on the web – This is great for things like eye glass frames and contacts. I order my contacts online and save a great deal of money. The same goes for frames; you can find brand name frames that you like for discounted prices. Contacts and glasses can cost a lot of money each year. This will be my first year that I will not look to my parents to help me purchase my contacts and in a few months I will need to get that done. It makes me a little bit nervous that I will need to budget and find enough money to cover this purchase but I know I will find a way.
3. Stay covered – You really want to have some type of health insurance coverage in case you get sick. Although you may not think you will get sick or that something serious will happen, anything can happen and you don’t want to have to find the money to pay all your medical bills without insurance. Can you afford health insurance?
4. Stay Healthy – Prevention is the best way to keep your medical costs low. Eat right and make sure you take care of yourself by staying fit and exercising. Exercising does not mean that you have to spend a lot of money on a gym membership. Go for a walk or a run to keep in shape!
5. Generic drugs – Generic drugs have the same make up as the brand names. The only difference is that the brand name drug was typically the original maker of the drug and later when their patent expires other companies can begin making the drug as well. Ask your doctor if there is a generic drug for the brand name they tell you to get…unless the drug is brand new often times there will be.
In this day and age everyone is looking to cut back costs where ever possible. Even saving a few dollars here and they can add up in the long run. Try out some of the tips above to see if they work for you!
Photo: Andrea Church
Related Articles:
What You Need to Know About Your Health Insurer Before Your Next Doctor’s Visit
Can You Get Health Insurance If You Are Already Sick?
How to Stay Fit on a Budget
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