5 Simply Ways to Save on Medical Expenses

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Cutting down on all costs is a necessity for the majority of American families in
today’s economy. With the extra tight budgets many families are facing, affording
healthcare for some is downright impossible but it’s an important budgetary item,
especially if you have kids. You can’t avoid medical costs but there are ways you can
save on them. Below are five simple ways to reduce your family’s medical costs.

Use Preventative Care
Taking the time for routine check-ups, physicals, dental cleanings, and eye exams is a
much cheaper option than letting something go until it’s necessary to see the doctor for
correction. A co-pay for a routine teeth cleaning might cost you 10 or 20 bucks, whereas
having a cavity filled costs hundreds and is painful. Many insurance policies cover
preventative care options like these so check with your insurance company to know how
many visits you have covered each year.

Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
The best way you can ensure that you and your family stays as healthy as possible is
by leading a healthy lifestyle. Be sure at least half your meals consist of fresh fruits and
vegetables and you avoid processed, chemical-infused foods. Teach your kids the value
of exercising by example. Have a weekly family bike ride, hike, or Frisbee game in the
park. Your lifestyle is one of the major factors in preventative care. The more you do to
stay healthy, the less medical care you’ll need.

Avoid the Emergency Room
A good policy to uphold for you and your family is that trips to the emergency rooms
are for emergencies only. Seems like a no-brainer, right? A lot of parent panic when an
accident occurs and run straight to the E.R. but those trips are expensive and will quickly
eat up any extra money you might have. Instead, even if you have insurance, utilize the
local urgent care facilities whenever possible. When something happens, take a second
to calm down and think rationally before deciding if you need to go to the E.R. Even if
your child needs stitches, an urgent care is much less expensive and perfectly adequate
place to have the wound stitched.

Use Generic Medication
Using generic medicines instead of the brand names can save you hundreds a year
on medication costs. Sometimes insurance policies will only cover the brand name
varieties, but whenever possible, use the generic. They’re exactly the same product
with the exact same ingredients. You’re only paying for the name when you use brand
names. Try asking your doctor for samples, too. They receive tons of samples to give
away so be sure to ask the next time you’re in the office.

Review All Documentation
Don’t forget to also check your insurance coverage and policies, your Medicare plans, and your medical bills carefully to ensure
you aren’t overpaying in any area. Especially on medical bills, there can be mistakes so
you may be paying for a service you never received. Double or triple check them before
you submit any payment.