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Health Care: How To Save Money

When You Need Routine Medical Care

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For routine problems such as cuts, broken bones, sore throats and ear aches, you can save money by going to one of the following instead of an Emergency Room:

  • A general practitioner rather than a specialist. Primary-care doctors  are able to treat the vast majority of illnesses at a more affordable rate than specialists. They can always refer you to a specialist if necessary.
  • A clinic in a retail store clinic or a company clinic for routine problems such as cuts, sore t hroats and ear aches
  • An urgent care center for routine matters and for more serious matters such as a broken bone.

Compare the cost of medical services. Please keep in mind that it can't hurt to try to negotiate price. If you can't get a reduction in price, perhaps you can get payment terms. For more information, click here.  Also consider the following ideas:

  • Request bids for your medical care through such websites as MediBid.com offsite link
  • Check to see if your state collects information about medical costs and makes it available online. State sites are listed at the web site of the All-Payer Claims Databases Council at www.APCDCouncil.org offsite link
  • www.FairHealthConsumer.org offsite link lists typical costs for medical procedures for different locations
  • www.HealthcareBlueBook.com offsite link provides what it refers to as fair prices by area
  • American Medical Association lists what Medicare pays for services by area at www.AMACodingOnline.com offsite link

NOTE: Learn how to prepare for a medical emergency by clicking here.


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