Healthcare Mistakes That Are Costing You Big Time
Healthcare costs are high for most American households. Though there are more options for those with low and no income, the out of pocket expenses can still be tremendous.
While some of the costs of medical care and treatment are beyond our control, there are things that most of us do, that could be wasting more money than necessary. If you’re guilty of any of the below mistakes, you’ll want to make some adjustments to cut costs and save cash.
Prolonging the Visit to the Doctor
One that is common for everyone is prolonging a trip to the doctor. Though some medical patients are diligent about making annual appointments for physicals, bloodwork, and everything in between, there are a lot of patients that only seek medical attention when something is drastically wrong.
While the mindset might be to save money on a copay, prescription, or the medical services, not going to the doctor or waiting until things are out of hand costs you more than scheduling an appointment. Many illnesses can be prevented or treated easier with early detection.
Paying a visit to the doctor might seem expensive and unnecessary, but it actually saves you money in the long run.
Taking the Wrong Medication
Medicine is expensive, but when taken as prescribed, can help to improve your health. Taking the wrong medication could backfire and cost you a lot more money.
Often, patients make errors like confusing two medications, taking medications that counteract one another, overdosing, and taking the wrong dosage, which can result in adverse health effects. Everything from a heightened risk of side effects to illness and even death is possible.
Keeping medications in their original container and using a pill identifier when you’re unsure could save you money and even your life.
Not Asking for Generic Brands
Most medical patients aren’t aware of the cost of what is being prescribed to them until it’s time to pay at the pharmacy. You can save yourself a lot of money by asking your doctor in advance if there is a generic brand that can be prescribed instead.
Most brand name medicines cost a lot more than their generic counterparts that have the same results. You could save as much as 95% on your prescription costs.
Self-Diagnosing
The information age has caused a lot of patients to believe they can make a medical diagnosis on their own. While the medical information found online can be beneficial in helping you learn more about your medical condition, it is best used after you’ve visited the doctor and got a clear diagnosis.
Many illnesses and diseases have similar symptoms. Treating yourself for the wrong condition could cause you to get worse which will, in turn, cost you more in recovery.
Not Getting Referrals
Many medical patients do not read their health insurance package when it arrives. They simply begin looking for medical experts and scheduling appointments. While it may seem like nothing but a waste of time, many patients end up finding out the hard way that they should have read the handbook.
Many health insurance providers require you to get a referral from your primary care physician before you can visit another medical expert. Failing to get a referral could result in you having to pay for your own visit out of pocket.
Missing Appointments
Life can get hectic and emergencies do happen, but when you have a medical appointment scheduled and you don’t show or call in advance, you’re allowing money to go down the drain.
A no call, no show, in most medical practices is an automatic fee. This is a fee that will be required at your next visit along with any co-pays and charges for your next appointment. It is best to contact your doctor in advance if you can’t make it.
Healthcare is without a doubt expensive, but since it’s a necessity, it’s not something we can do without. If you want to keep your healthcare costs low, it is important to not only find ways to save like discount cards and free flu shots, but you must also find ways to cut back, such as keeping your appointments and asking about referrals in advance. In doing so, you’ll stay a lot healthier and save a lot more money.
Share this:
Category: Health
