Healthcare: Practical solutions

[sweeps]

I think we've beat the healthcare debate to death.

Since there's not much we can do about public policy other than writing letters to Congress (or running for Congress ourselves), how about if we list some practical ways to save on healthcare costs?

I'll throw a couple out there to get started.
1. If your employer offers it, make use of your Flexible Spending Account benefit. Estimate how much you will spend on doctor visits, prescriptions, and other health care products and services over the next year. Set aside that amount in your FSA, and those health care expenses come out of pre-tax money, potentially saving you 20-30%.

2. If you don't have access to an FSA and your health care costs are high, deduct them on your income taxes. Note: You must itemize your deductions and you may only deduct expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. If possible, consolidate all your big health expenses into a certain year so you can maximize the deduction.

[jmjj215]

Hospital indemnity policies I consider a "must have" when you're planning on having a baby. Basically it's a policy that pays out a certain amount based on a hospital event that happens. Since you know there will be a hospital event (the birth), you can make a very good buy of this policy (which is otherwise a rip-off).

[Fern]

NEVER let your health insurance lapse, for example, if you've been laid off or are otherwise between jobs. If you do this, at least here in CT, when you do go back on a plan, the insurance company doesn't have to immediately cover you for a pre-existing condition; they may make you pay out of your own pocket for a full year.

[cercis]

Watch what you eat. Eating healthfully is slightly more expensive, but you do save in the long run.

Shop around for health insurance regularly - even if you get it through your employer. It was cheaper for me and the kids to get blue cross/blue shield than go through dh's employer.

Develop a relationship with the doctor and learn to request samples. If there is a maintenance med you take regularly (such as flonase) ask the doc for samples everytime you're there even for non-related things.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by cercis

Develop a relationship with the doctor and learn to request samples.

Great suggestion!

[Dingoluv4eva]

SOLUTION: fly to another country, when u need service.

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by Dingoluv4eva

SOLUTION: fly to another country, when u need service.

Yeah, good idea, but don't be surprised when this happens.

[Dingoluv4eva]

Even more seriously tho.. a friend, who wanted to get otoplasty done.. was being quoted $4500 in the states.. thats only being surgeons fee, he was supposed to also pay for an anestesia about $2000 and than for hospital expense, that were gonna a bunch of thousands more.

he ended up buying an airplane ticket to greece for $700, spending 2 weeks in a nice hotel $700.. and paying $2000 for everything, surgeon fee, anestesia, and hospital stay.

[sweeps]

Interesting. How did he know to call Greece?