The rising cost of healthcare is no laughing matter. In San Diego alone, 464,000 people are carrying healthcare debt, and have approximately $670 million of healthcare debt. Here are some tips you can utilize to help reduce your overall medical costs.
Staying Well
One of the best tips for reducing your healthcare costs is to take advantage of your preventative checkups and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If, for example, you are living in Los Angeles, and find that you are struggling with addiction issues, you could seek the help you need from an IOP addiction treatment facility. Being clean from an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a very important part of your overall health.
By making sure you have your annual checkups, you can prevent or discover diseases that may be ailing you and get the needed treatment before the disease becomes a severe problem. Typically seeking treatment for certain diseases can prove beneficial if caught early enough, and by catching such things at the onset, you can reduce the cost of treatment.
Another way to stay healthy is by staying up to date with your vaccinations. Keeping ailments at bay that can be prevented or more easily treated and overcome by having the proper vaccinations, like your flu shot, will not only save you money but will keep your health in check.
Don’t overlook the other basics of being healthy like eating a balanced diet and staying active. Try to maintain a healthy weight and avoid certain activities such as smoking and overindulging in alcohol.
Seeking Treatment
Despite your best efforts, sometimes getting sick is unavoidable, but even then, there are still ways to be cost-conscious even when you do need a doctor. One of the most effective money-saving tips is to stay “in-network” with your healthcare plan. Certain doctors are contracted with your health care plan as preferred providers, and by sticking to seeing them for your medical needs, you will keep your out-of-pocket costs lower than if you went out of network.
If your doctor is unable to see you for an appointment, and you need non-emergency medical attention, consider a trip to your urgent care facility. Your associated costs will be much lower than a trip to the hospital for minor ailments including but not limited to minor cuts, burns, sprains, and fever and flu symptoms.
Most health plans offer the convenience of a nurse line, which is a phone number where you can speak with a nursing professional and discuss your concerns. This will help you determine if you need to seek medical attention soon, rather than wait for an appointment with your doctor. Not only can they offer you treatment advice, but they can also advise where you should go for the treatment you may need.