(ThySistas.com) Everyone should be entitled to medical treatment regardless of how much money they have in their pocket. Whilst medical treatment can often be expensive, there are many ways of bringing down the price. Here are a few ways to lower your medical bills.
Shop around for health insurance deals
Everyone should aim to have some health insurance behind them. If you’ve got a family, you may be able to save money on a special family bundle that insures everyone. In some cases, you may also be able to customise your insurance plan to only include certain health
costs. You can also raise the deductible or excess, which will lower your insurance rates but require you to pay out some money towards medical costs before your insurance company gets involved.
Take out a health FSA
A health FSA is an account offered by some employers. Part of your earnings will go into it and these will be tax free. This money can then be used on any medical expenses you require (it could be used to cover any deductible or excess). You can often buy general medical equipment such as plasters, over the counter drugs and in some cases corrective eyewear using an FSA. Unlike a normal flexible savings account, a health FSA also allows you to roll on those earnings to the next year so that you can save up.
Join a Farm Bureau
Every state has its own Farm Bureau. These are predominantly set up for farmers, but anyone can join. Being a member often entitles you to discounts on medical treatment that can further lower costs. There are also other discounts that you can receive from being a member. It does require a monthly fee, but the benefits can be worth it.
Avoid big brand medicine
The big brands of medicine which are most commonly advertised can often also be the most expensive. Small brand medicine may be just as effective but cheaper simply because it hasn’t got the same reputation. Any medicine found in a pharmacy will have had to pass tests to deem it safe and legal. You should be more careful when buying online – so long as you buy from a credible site you should be fine.
Seek legal action
In some cases you may be able to make an injury claim that could cover medical costs. Consider whether you’re reason for ending up in hospital can be contributed to someone else’s doing. In some rare cases, there may also be a misdiagnosis or botched surgery that leads to further illness. A medical malpractice lawyer could be worth hiring in such a case. Know your legal rights as it could enable you some compensation.
Use an advocate
For extreme cases where people cannot afford treatment, a medical advocate may be able to help. They are able to shop around for medical costs to find the cheapest solution for you whilst negotiating with hospital billing teams and medical centres. This service is usually only available to those on a low income and could require other circumstances too.
Staff Writer; Jessica Shaw