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#1

Check with your employer to see if your company offers a tax-deferred health benefit. It will allow you to put pre-tax money aside to pay for qualified out of pocket medical expenses. For instance, if you anticipate having medical bills above that your insurance will  cover (or if you do not have health insurance), this plan will allow you to set aside part of your salary into a separate account. This money is not taxed, so if you have $500 in out of pocket  medical expenses and you pay the bill from a regular paycheck, you will end up paying more than you need to.

Example:   X-rays, lab tests, and medications = $500

Assuming you make $12/hr and are in the 20% tax bracket:

Scenario 1:  You would have to work 52 hours to earn $625. After taxes you would make the $500 to pay the bill.

Scenario 2:  The $500 comes out of your paycheck BEFORE taxes. You would have to work 42 hours to pay the bill.  This leaves you 10 hours worth of pay for 'mad money' to do with as you please.

#2

Ask your employer to participate in a program that provides supplemental health insurance,  such as AFLAC.  There is no out of pocket cost to the employer, so many employers are willing to offer the program if their employees request it. Different programs vary, but the gist of the matter is that you are reimbursed for medical visits, above that which your insurance pays. You can use the money to offset wages lost as a result of the illness, use it to pay the medical bills, or whatever your need may be.  Your monthly premium is deducted from your paycheck.  Anytime you go the doctor or emergency room, you can expect to receive a check. While no one likes being sick, not having to worry about being able to pay the bills when you are sick certainly helps with peace of mind.

#3

Check into the availability of consumer-driven health plans through your employer.  If you are relatively healthy, it may be in your best interest to chose a high deductible health insurance. Monthly premiums are significantly cheaper than standard plans.  Taking advantage of the new  Health Reimbursement Accounts can add an even bigger boost to your savings. Ask your HR manager (Human Resources manager) for details.

#4

Learn as much as you can about your illness. Take advantage of the many educational resources your doctor offers (such as pamphlets), search the Web for health information, or visit your local library. The better informed you are about your condition, the better your outcome will likely be.  If you suffer from a chronic illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor will want to see you periodically. However, the better your disease is controlled, the less frequent your follow up visits will be (up to a point, of course).  For instance, an ideal blood pressure is 119/79 or lower.  A patient who consistently runs 160/95 or higher will need  more frequent visits to the doctor to allow monitoring of the blood pressure and adjustment of the medical regimen than a patient who generally runs a blood pressure of 115/75. In the first case, the doctor may want routine visits every 2-3 months, while in the latter, every 6 months may be deemed adequate. 

#5

Learn the policies of your doctor's office.  Simple things can save valuable time and money.

#6

Develop your own copy of your medical record. Not only can this be invaluable in an emergency, having a copy of old blood tests, x-rays and EKG results can save you a tremendous amount of money. For instance, if your insurance changes and your new doctor needs specific information about your condition and needs it in a timely manner, he may not want to wait to receive old records from your prior doctor. He may opt to order tests again.  However, if you have a copy of your test results, you may bypass the need to do expensive, repetitive tests. Likewise, if he is unsure of your diagnosis, having supporting documentation handy can expedite your diagnosis, thus saving you time, money, and suffering.

#7

Request generic alternatives to more expensive medications, if appropriate. You doctor will evaluate each situation and determine if there is a suitable, less expensive alternative to treat your illness. The most popular, newest (and most expensive) drug on the market may well take care of your symptoms, but chances are there are several other drugs that will also do the trick.  It never hurts to ask. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Doctors are well aware of how expensive medications can be. Your doctor would much rather prescribe an affordable medication than an expensive one you never get filled.

#8

Mentally prepare for a visit to your doctor's office BEFORE you actually go. If you try to recall details of your illness while you are sitting half-dressed on a cold examining table you are likely to be nervous and get confused. The longer the doctor needs to spend with you to get to the bottom of your problem and the more tests he has to order, the more expensive the medical encounter will be. Think thru what you are going to say and be concise. Don't ramble on. Start with the facts and state them in a sensible, chronological sequence. Know specific details, including the exact names of all the medications you have tried to relieve your symptoms. 

#9

Read your insurance package in detail. Know what hospitals and doctors are 'in network'' and which ones you will be charged extra for, is used.

#10

Understand your prescription coverage and know which drug stores in your area accept your insurance card. Otherwise, you may pay more for your medications than need be.