8 Steps to Saving Money on All of Your Medical Expenses

From routine physicals to prescription drugs, medical expenses add up faster than you can say “Ahhh.” In fact, more than half of women surveyed by the nonprofit research foundation the Commonwealth Fund said the rising costs of health care were keeping them from getting the procedures and medications they need.

• Choose lifestyle changes over new medication
• Reevaluate your vitamins
• Ask your doctor: Do I really need that test?
• Get your regular meds on the cheap
• Don’t procrastinate
• Feel free to bargain
• Take a trip
• Get back to basics

Juli

I agree with keeping health care costs down, but I have a real problem with "do I really need that test".  I don't have a problem being tested.  In fact, for 3 years, my ob/gyn told me not to be worried about this bump on the side of my chest - that it was just *scar tissue* from my drain when I had surgery.  He finally listened to me and referred me to a surgeon to have it tested.  Turns out it was cancer and had spread to my lymph nodes.

I have a $2,750 deductible.  Once that has been billed to insurance, anything over that is paid in full by the insurance company.

IMO, tests aren't the reason health care is so expensive.  It's what they charge versus what it actually costs.  Have you ever seen what they charge you for one aspirin or Tylenol at the hospital?  That's were the gouging comes in.