Americans spend over one trillion dollars a year on medical care. Approximately half is by adults over 50 years old.  Much of the recent publicity on health care costs has been on prescription drugs. 

Prescription drugs are only a small fraction of health care costs.  There are many other ways to save on your medical care. We have a separate page for prescription drugs.  Click here.

People with and without insurance and with and without Medicare can save money.  Even if your insurance covers a situation, by saving money you can help hold down premiums which will save you money in the long run .

This section of the web site will help you to take an active role in reducing your overall health costs.

FOLLOW RECOMMENDED TREATMENT INCLUDING TAKING DRUGS AS LONG AS PRESCRIBED.

Not continuing follow up recommended by your health care professional can lead to poorer health and higher cost long term.  An article on this article follows.

Many Patients Stop Medicine to Early

The Washington Post

(Free one time registration requires)

September 26, 2006

CHALLENGE CLAIMS REJECTED BY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

If you have health care insurance and a claim is not paid at the level you expected, research the issue and don’t be afraid to challenge the insurance company.   I have found the people at the insurance companies to be very cooperative in explaining the issues and in many cases fixing issues that lead to non payment.  

Recently my insurance company rejected claims for my son.   It turns out the doctor who had been an approved service provider, moved his office across the street and did not update his new address records at the insurance company.   When claims came in with the new address, they were rejected.   I got my doctor's office to submit a change of address the claim was paid.

NEGOTIATE FEES UP FRONT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE 

Ask the health care provider if they would accept a fee lower than the standard.  A recent article in The Wall Street Journal discussed how a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church who did not have health insurance shopped for the best price for his medical care. 

A new California law lets patients look up the retail price of services at hospitals.  An article in The Wall Street Journal showed the cost for a blood count ranged from $47 at one hospital to $547.30 at another.

A Forbes article showed where a head/brain CT scan at one California cost less than $900 and more than $6,600 at another.

An article in The New York Times discusses how you can negotiate the cost for a CT scan.

Bargaining Down That CT Scan Is Suddenly Possible

The New York Times

(One time free registration required)

February 27, 2007

An article in Business Week on November 27, 2006 listed a difference in Knee Replacement out of pocket costs ranging from $1,202 to $2,722.

An article in The New York Times discusses how prices for knee vary across the country Click here.  Also price does not guarantee the best care.  Click here for an article in The New York Times.

Unless you belong to a few health providers like Aetna and Cigna there is no online data base to compare prices for procedures except two Michigan hospitals data bases. 

Nonprofit hospitals in Michigan list their prices for common medical tests and procedures.  The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA), which represents 146 nonprofit hospitals statewide, host a voluntary price database on its Web site. Click here

Costs at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan will be available in early February 2008 click here

The following article discusses the posting of Michigan hospital prices on the internet.  The article references the web sites above.

Michigan Hospital Posts its Prices and Quality Measurements on Line

Detroit Free Press via Individual.com

January 22, 2008

STAYING IN NETWORK FOR MEDICAL CARE

Those with insurance need to check to be sure their health care providers are in network.  Even doctors in the same office can service different networks.  

When you go out of network you are subject to high co-pays and higher base costs.

These article provides an excellent insight.

Health Plans Put Onus on Insured

The New York Times

(Free one time registration required)

This is an article on the financial hazards of going outside your network for health care.

February 19, 2008

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt

The New York Times

(Free one time registration required)

Advice if you go outside your insurance plan’s network for care.

February 19, 2008

MANAGE YOUR MEDICAL BILLS AND NEGOTIATE BILLS EVEN IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE PARTICULARY IF YOU HAVE A HIGH DEDUCTABLE

Several companies offer services to help you manage your bills.

MedBillManager

Manages medical bills. 

Shows what others pay in the area for services

Cost is $25 per year 

Smart MedicalConsumer

Manages medical bills

Automatic error detection

Online forum of medial billing experts

Free service  

Revolution Health

Manages medical bills

Offers personalized telephone service for medical questions and health insurance

Will fight disputed insurance claims on user’s behalf.

$129 annually

MY MEDICAL CONTROL.COM

Offers a service where they negotiate bills for you. They accept patients with a balance over $250 and they charge a fee.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS

There is a special site for this issue.  Click here.

CHECK YOUR HOSPITAL BILL

In the article below you will see that 90% of hospital bills have errors

Look for:

• Duplicate billing
• Charges for more expensive room than occupied
• Charges for personal or other items included in the room charge
• Use of the television or phone when you did not use them
• Retests due to hospital errors

The Fine Print of a Hospital Bill’

90% of hospital bills have errors!

U.S. News & World Report

July 15, 2007

BUY GLASSES ON THE INTERNET

Do-It-Yourself Eyeglass Shopping on the Internet

The New York Times

(One time free registration required)

May 6, 2007

MAKE USE OF RESOURCES THAT ARE PROVEN AND AVAILABLE

Not using resources that are available can lead to higher long term costs and better health.   Click here for an article on this issue for diabetes.

THERE ARE RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. 

Most offer prescription drug relief and are listed under that page.  Others are listed below.

Patient Advocate Foundation

Co-Pay Relief

Provides financial assistance to patients who meet certain qualifications.

Extra help for Medicare drug coverage program

Support for low income individuals

From AARP

NeedyMeds.com

This is a good source of information for people who need help with the cost of medicine and healthcare expenses

Benefits Check Up

From The National Council On Aging

BenefitsCheckUp helps people to connect to private and government programs that help pay for prescription drugs and health care

DETERMINE IF YOU CAN GO OVERSEAS FOR SURGERY.

There are now high quality hospital in India that offer excellent service a lower costs.

Several articles below discuss this topic.  There are also web sites for overseas medical care.  A book, Patients Beyond Borders is a good guide.

Patients Beyond Borders

This is a book offering a guide for planning a medical trip overseas

By Josef Woodman

(Healthy Travel Media)

MedicalTravelToday.com

This is a free web site for information on medical travel

They publish a news letter. 

The Next Wave of Medical Tourists Might Include You

The Wall Street Journal

(Access may be limited. If so go to you local library; pg. R6)

February 16, 2008

When Patients Seek Treatment Far From Home

The Wall Street Journal

October 9, 2007

Planet Hospital

Connects patients with 38 hospitals in 38 countries. 

The offer a fee based concierge service as well as 24-hour in country support

Wockhardt Hospital

Associate Hospital of Harvard Medical International

Branches in five cities in India

Offers open-heart surgery, knee replacement, hip resurfacing, second opinion and other services.

Bumrungrad International

Located in Thailand

Offers angioplasty, stents, joint replacement, cancer treatment, prostate surgery and other services.

Americans Gamble on Bargain Surgery Abroad

August 13, 2007

Outsourcing Your Heart

Time Magazine

May 21, 2006

Traveling for Treatment

AARP

Article on medical care overseas

September 2007

Get Your Sand, Sun and Surgery Overseas

MSN Travel

THE PRICE FOR CARE IS NO GUARANTEE YOU WILL RECEIVE THE BEST CARE

In Health Care, Cost Isn’t Proof of High Quality

The New York Times

(One time free registration required)

June 14, 2007