[Fern]

No one here has mentioned mail prescription services. If your employer's plan offers something like Medo by Mail, it definitely saves $$ to have your doctor write out a prescription for a year at a time and it's delivered to your door AND you pay less than if you went to your neighborhood pharmacy on a month to month basis.

I am very unhappy with the US healthcare system. I have had a chronic, lifelong health condition since i was 28, which requires very expensive meds. luckily it's been beign most of my life, but the cost of the meds means i will always have to be work until i'm 65 and medicare picks up the tab. Actually, right now they do not cover my particular medication, so who knows what i'll do when the time comes.

A friend of mine works p/t at Starbucks, only becus they are one of the few companies that offer health insurance to pt workers. Health insurnace these days is no longer a perk or side benefit of employment, it's critical! Especially as you get older. You could be in the greatest health and something completely unanticipated could change everything overnight. It's not worth it to save a few bucks and take risks with your health and life savings.