Cut Your Medical Bills Now

By Chris Oliver

A sad fact of getting older is that you start needing more medical attention and medications. Those costs often consume lots of cash, especially if you are a senior on a fixed income.

Everyone wants to save money these days and we certainly don’t want to see our hard-earned dollars eaten away by doctors’ bills and medicine costs. Here are 15 tips on how to cut your medical expenses.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR FIRST: Before visiting a specialist, see your primary care physician first, even if you don’t need a referral. Often your health insurance co-pay for a specialist is twice what you pay your family doctor. And if your ailment is something like a cough or a sprain, he should be able to fix it. If not, he will recommend the right specialist for you.

NEOGATIATE WITH YOUR DOCTOR: Experts say that nearly 60-percent of patients who asked their doctor to cut them a deal, got it. And, if you pay in cash, in advance, you can usually save serious money. Hospitals will also reduce their charges if you are uninsured but pre-pay for treatments. Some doctors discount bills by 20-percent if you pay by cash on the date of visit which saves them the administrative costs of having to mail a bill.

SHOP, SHOP, SHOP: Always be a comparative shopper, even if you are filling a prescription or having lab tests done. Many smaller drug stores offer competitive prices to the big chain pharmacies.

GO GENERIC: Always ask your doctor if a less expensive generic drug is available over the name brand. The Food & Drug Agency (FDA) reports a savings of as much as 52-percent. Also, big chain stores such as Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart and Walgreen’s offer major discounts on generic drugs as well as prescription savings clubs. A small annual fee can put as many as 5,000 medications at your fingertips.

ASK FOR A SAMPLE: Starting on a new drug? Ask your doctor to give you some samples. This has a double bonus. You see if the drug works for you without spending your cash.

POP FEWER PILLS: Many people consume more vitamin pills than the medical establishment recommends. Money spent on megadoses of vitamins, particularly water-soluble vitamins such as C and the B’s go quite literally down the toilet. Check with your doctor to see if you’re overdoing, underdoing, or doing just right. Then, whatever you decide on, go with store brands from a reliable pharmacy or supermarket. They’re at least 25-percent cheaper than name brand, and it’s all the same stuff.

RX FOR THE BUDGET: Arthritis acting up? If you’re having a hard time footing the bill for medications, contact the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America and ask for their free Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs. “Virtually every major pharmaceutical company in America offers assistance to patients who can’t afford medicine. These are often people who fall through the cracks, not qualifying for Medicaid, but without a lot of economic resources,” says Jackie Cottrell, Association spokesperson.

You can find the directory online at www.phrma.org, or call PHRMA at 1-800-762-4636, and they’ll ship you one.

GO NORTH: If you don’t qualify for special assistance, you may still save a bundle on prescription medication by buying direct from Canada, where prices on drugs can be less than half what they are Stateside. Two of the leading suppliers are both online and have toll-free numbers:

Maple Leaf Meds, mapleleafmeds.com, 1-800-794-8552

CanadianDrugstore.com, canadiandrugstore.com, 1-888-773-2698

DO LAB RESEARCH: Independent labs often offer better prices than those affiliated with a hospital. Ask your doctor if going to an outside lab works for him. Also do a cost comparison with your insurance company.

GO TO SCHOOL: Dental schools in New York City (NYU for example) have lower cost clinics where senior students are supervised by professors, usually top professionals from the area. Costs can be cut in half for a cleaning, crown or bridge. To find a dental school near you, go to the American Dental Association website.

ALL EYES ON THE WEB: Looking for stylish frames but don’t want to pay hundreds for them? Check out eBay or other optical web sites. Also contact lens can be found on the internet for at least one-quarter the price of buying them from your optical store or doctor.

JOIN A SAVINGS CLUB: Several insurance and credit card companies offer discount health cards that cover everything from eye exams to dentist visits. Before joining, however, make sure that the doctors you want to visit will accept these discount plans.

CHECK YOUR BILLS: Recent studies show that nearly 80-percent of hospital bills have an error – and usually not in your favor. Always request an itemized bill. Double check the length of stay and the type of room you were in. Don’t overlook other services such as telephone and TV charges, or the number and types of meals you were served. If you find an error, immediately contact the billing office and notify your insurance company. If you can, go to the billing office in person but if that doesn’t resolve the disputed charges, write your insurance company and local consumer affairs department and include a copy of the bill.

GO FOR A PRO: You might not be up to the fight if you’ve just been through a major illness. A medical billing advocate may be the route to take to battle your insurer or reduce hefty doctor or hospital fees. Medical Billing Advocates of America, a trade organization, charges by the hour (up to $75) or takes up to 35-percent of what they collect. If it saves you money and hassle in the long run, it might be worth the costs.

RELY ON CHARITY: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. One great resource open to everyone, no matter their religious beliefs, is Catholic Charities. They often provide services, advice and sometimes have a stock of gently used medical supplies available for free. Or, go to a thrift shop. Why pay full-price for a pair of crutches or a cane when most charity shops have dozens of deeply discounted medical items, especially if you plan to use it for just a short period of time.