Save on medicationsGeneric drugsGeneric drugs have the identical active chemical ingredients as the brand name drugs - but can be much less expensive. Ask your doctor if there are generics available for any of the medications you take. If there is not a generic equivalent for the medication your doctor is prescribing, ask if there are other drugs in the same class that could treat your condition that do have a generic available.Mail order pharmacyFor medications you take regularly, you can usually save money by using your health plan's mail order pharmacy. Mail order prescriptions are also much more convenient since you can typically get a three month's supply mailed directly to your home. To make switching to mail order easy, call your doctor's office and request that they fax or mail a new prescription directly to your mail order pharmacy. This can save you time and hassle in making the switch.FormularyA formulary is a list of medications covered under your benefit plan. You usually pay less if your doctor prescribes a medication that is on your plan's formulary. Before visiting your doctor, call your plan and ask them if you pay less for formulary medications. If so, bring a copy of your formulary to your next doctor visit (most plans list their formulary on their website).Over-the-counter drugs (non-prescription drugs)Many medications that were once available only by prescription are now available without a prescription. Not only are over-the-counter medications (OTC) convenient (because you don't need a prescription from your doctor) - they can also save you money. For example, the heartburn drug Prilosec costs about $116 a month when purchased by prescription. The cost of a similar amount of the over the counter version is about $25. (Be sure to ask your doctor if this could work for you.) Keep in mind that most health plans do not reimburse for OTC medications, though you may be able to use money from your Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to cover the expense.Talk to your doctor about your benefits, and ask for the best care for the best price.The care decisions you make with your doctor can make a big difference in your out of pocket costs. For prescription drugs, your doctor often has more than one drug to choose from to treat your condition or illness. Though similar in effect, these drugs can vary greatly in terms of your out of pocket expenses. By sharing your specific benefits, your doctor can determine whether there are any alternatives that can get you the care you need while protecting your wallet.Antibiotics - be careful what you ask for.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , roughly 50 million unneeded prescriptions for antibiotics are dispensed each year. That costs us both as a society and as individuals. These prescriptions are largely for colds, sore throats, sinusitis and bronchitis - conditions that, most of the time, are due to viruses. Treating viruses with antibiotics doesn't make you get better any faster and the side effects can actually make you feel worse. Additionally, overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of drug resistant bacteria - a threat to everyone. So if your doctor says you don't need an antibiotic, listen to what he or she is saying. It could help your health and your pocketbook.Use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to budget and save on your tax billFSAs are a great way to help you budget for health-related costs and shave down your tax bill, for many out-of- pocket expenses not covered by your health plan (including prescription co-pays and over-the-counter medications).For a complete listing of eligible expenses under your FSA, check with your employer or FSA administrator, or visit www.irs.gov. |
More ways to saveUse in-network doctors, hospitals and facilitiesHealth plans negotiate rates with certain doctors, hospitals and facilities (such as radiology centers). When you use these "in-network" providers, you can save a lot. When you don't, it often results in a higher expense for you. It's important to know that the "in-network" concept doesn't just apply to doctors. So if your doctor recommends that you visit a specialist, or sends you for a test or a hospital visit, you'll want to make sure that the facility or hospital you go to is in your health plan's network. You can find out which doctors and facilities are in-network by calling your health plan or checking their website.Grab the phone before you grab your car keysThere may be times when you can avoid the hassle and expense of an in-person office visit with your doctor, while still getting the support you need.Medication adjustmentsIf you are taking prescription medications and want to switch to mail order or generic, often providers will write and fax new prescriptions directly to your pharmacy and/or mail order pharmacy without requiring you to spend the time, energy and money associated with a scheduled office visit.Lab follow-upsDoctors are often willing to have a brief phone call to discuss results of common lab tests such as a cholesterol screening. If the results are good, you may save yourself the co-pay and time. If the results require further treatment, you can then schedule an appointment as needed.Choose the most appropriate facility...Urgent Care vs. Same Day AppointmentOut-of-pocket costs for Urgent Care visits are usually higher than costs for a standard office visit. And while many people assume that the fastest way to get in to see a doctor is to head straight to an Urgent Care center, many doctors now hold open space for same day appointments to make sure that they are available to see their patients who need same day attention. So, call your doctor's office first to see if you can schedule a same day appointment. Not only can this save you money, but it often can mean getting in just as quickly, and avoiding long lines and overcrowded waiting rooms.Retail ClinicsRetail clinics can offer convenient, quick and affordable access to care for common medical conditions such as strep throat, ear infections and minor burns. They are often located within department, drug or grocery stores. Most are open nights and weekends. Your health insurance may cover these visits, or offer them at discounted rates. Check your benefits documents for information.Should I go to the ER?Unfortunately this is a question that many people face at some point in their lives. The Emergency Room serves an important role in providing immediate care to people with serious, often life-threatening issues. However, many people go to the Emergency Room for issues that are much less serious. Not only can this slow down the Emergency Room's ability to help people with more serious illness or injury, but it can also mean unnecessary out-of-pocket costs for you. If you're not sure whether you need to go to the Emergency Room, or whether Urgent Care or an office visit would be better alternatives, call your health plan's nurse line or your doctor's office. You can talk with clinically trained professionals about your symptoms and concerns, and they can help you understand whether a visit to the Emergency Room is necessary, or whether there are other alternatives to better address your situation. Some common symptoms seen in Emergency Rooms that may be better addressed during office visits or at an Urgent Care center include:
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