How to Control Your Medical Costs

Every day, I see stories about people dealing with medical debt. I hear people say they are concerned about a high deductible if they go to the hospital, or about the high-priced medication they are using to lose weight or control their A1C.

When I see these stories, it reminds me that using medical care is proof that you do not have good health. Forty-seven years ago, when I started my career in the insurance world, I used to ask people if they were healthy. Their answer of yes meant they would most likely be able to get life or health insurance at standard rates. Today, that same question is answered yes, and then I must ask: Are you taking any medications?

Our society has lost sight of what non-medical health is. If you watch TV much, you will often see two or three advertisements for drugs in a row. And when I listen to the side effects of many of these drugs, I end up wondering why anyone would take them. There is now a drug that you can take that will stop the random movements caused by a drug you take for mental health.

So what does this have to do with dealing with the cost of medical care? The answer is that not needing medical care is the most effective way to reduce the cost. There are many things that the average person can do to live a life full of capabilities and enjoy non-medical health. A few things that work well include walking at least a couple of miles every day, doing push-back exercises (pushing back from the meal plate sooner), and being aware. There are many great sources that talk about this idea.

But what if you do need care? This is where paying attention to how medical care is delivered becomes important. Most of us will check several places before we buy a $5,000 item, but when it comes to medical care, that is not something most people do.

First and foremost, do not be afraid to ask your medical care provider how much it will cost. For example:

• Healthcare Bluebook shows reasonable prices by zip code
• MDsave is like Priceline for medical imaging
• GoodRx also has a feature for pricing procedures

Ask your doctor for the CPT code for the imaging you need, then call two or three imaging centers and ask: "If I pay cash, how much for CPT code XXXX?" If you have group insurance through your employer, many plans have reduced or free imaging if you go to the preferred provider. The same type of effort can apply to many high-cost procedures. Shop for care. Check both price and the effectiveness of where you are going.

Stay healthy by making choices in life. The best healthcare cost strategy is the one that keeps you out of the healthcare system in the first place.

I have some ideas that have worked, shared in my book The Wellness Garden: Nurturing Your Body and Mind, available in paperback or on Kindle.

Glen Riensche, CLU, RHU, REBC, LUTCF 402-202-2550 [email protected]