Top 10 Ways to Minimize Your Healthcare Costs

Your health is about more than routine trips to your doctor – it’s about the small everyday choices you make. Those small choices can add up and make a big difference on your overall health. For helpful wellness tips and info on how to easily redeem your wellness rewards, visit onespiritblog.com/wellness.

10. Establish a relationship with a primary care doctor

A primary care doctor is your first line of defense in staying healthy and preventing illnesses from becoming more serious.  He/she can also help you navigate the overwhelming volume of health care information so you can make informed choices about your specific situation.

Is your sore throat serious or a passing cold? Are your headaches something to worry about or not? A primary care doctor is a key tool in maintaining your long-term health.

9. Take advantage of free preventive care

The CHI well-being plan covers preventive visits like an annual physical and other age and gender appropriate preventive screenings, such as a screening mammogram or colonoscopy, in full.  Stay updated with vaccines and flu shots as well. Treating illness can be more difficult, painful, and also more costly than preventing it in the first place.

8. Use specialists only after your primary care doctor

Your primary care doctor should always be your first stop. Specialists are typically more expensive, and your primary care doctor may provide the same treatment at a lower cost. If not, your doctor will be an excellent resource towards directing you to the right specialist.

7. Be prepared for your appointments

Make the most of your time with the doctor by having vital information ready. Transfer your file from your previous primary care provider. Come prepared with details on your family history, insurance, prescriptions, copies of lab results and x-rays.

6. Stay in network as much as possible

Using CHI providers whenever possible can save you a significant amount. In-network clinicians have negotiated rates for their services that can be much lower than regular fees.

5. Ask questions about tests, costs, and alternatives

Just because a new test is available and covered by your insurance, it doesn’t mean it’s necessary. Some tests can be expensive and may not be essential. This is where having a good relationship with your primary care physician makes a big difference. Ask questions to determine the pros and cons of any test recommended.

4. Avoid the ER when it’s not an emergency

When something happens after hours, it’s not always an emergency. Many medical conditions can wait for a next-day office visit or can be treated at an urgent care facility. Urgent care is far less costly, and it’s often faster than a visit to the ER.

3. Control prescription costs

Ask your doctor about generic equivalents or even other drugs in the same class that may be less costly whenever you receive a prescription. A generic at full retail price may still be less than the co-pay of a name brand drug.  If you have a longer-term prescription, you can experience significant savings in a mail order prescription program. Plus, your medicine gets delivered right to your door!

2. Track your costs

It’s difficult to control your health care spending if you don’t know where the dollars are going. A good first step is to compare your medical bills to your Explanation of Benefits to be sure everything aligns.  By keeping good records of your health care expenses you might discover other areas of savings.

1. Keep yourself in the best possible health – and save some money – by participating in wellness incentives

The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true. Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just feel wonderful… it may also reduce your need for medical treatments, saving you money. CHI’s well-being program encourages you to stay healthy and work towards an even greater level of wellness in mind, body, and spirit. In addition, when you participate in qualifying Healthy Living activities, you can save on your medical plan contributions!