Health Insurance

Ways to Save Money on your Health Insurance

Medical services are expensive, and even if you have good health insurance, some things will still cost you money, whether on deductible or co-payments. With everyone tightening their financial belt, here are some ideas that will help you save money, either immediately or over time.

One really good way to save money long-term is to use your health insurance to receive all preventive care screenings. This includes yearly physicals, annual visits to the gynecologist if you are a woman, flu shots, cancer screening tests, such as prostate exams if you are a man over the age of fifty, etc. Most health insurance plans cover these services at 100%. This is one of the best things individuals can do to protect their health, and therefore lower medical costs throughout their lifetime.

If you have a PPO, preferred provider organization, plan, you can save money by choosing to see physicians who are part of your health insurance network. Often, if you see an in-network provider, your health insurance policy will pay higher benefits, such as 80-90%, compared to out-of-network provider, which can be 50%. Sometimes, there is also a higher deductible that must be met if you see an out-of-network provider. Check with your health insurance company's provider directory to find an in-network physician whenever possible.

Emergency room visits are higher cost, for both you and your health insurance company. Save ER visits for real emergencies, and instead use urgent care centers or walk-in clinics for things like sprains, ear infections, or cuts. Your co-pay will be lower, and your health insurance will also be charged less. Your health insurance company web site probably lists urgent care centers near where you live. Get this information ahead of time and post it on your refrigerator door, or carry with you, so you will always be prepared.

Another great cost-cutting idea is to determine whether your health insurance company provides lower cost prescriptions if you use mail delivery. Some policies include benefits if you get a 90-day supply of your medications at once for mail delivery. This will save you money on co-insurance, as well as gas and time since you will not need to take trip to the pharmacy. Ask your doctor to work with your health insurance prescription program on this. Also, be sure to ask your doctor if you can use generic drugs instead of brand name drugs. Generic medications are required by law to have the same high quality strength as brand name drugs, but yet are usually lower cost to both you and your health insurance company. This is another great, easy way to cut costs that will not have a negative impact on your medical treatment.

A final tip for saving money while using your health insurance is to check what services and procedures are covered before you have them performed. Although many routine medical services are included in most health insurance plans, sometimes there are exclusions. You do not want to be unpleasantly surprised to find out something was excluded after the fact. Check your health insurance certificate of coverage, or call and speak to a health insurance company customer service representative to verify benefits before a medical service.