How to Save on Medical Bills

This post is sponsored by SingleCare. All opinions are mine alone.

Medical bills can be astoundingly high these days. How do you keep the costs in check? Find out my 5 easy ways to keep medical bills from getting out of control. From using SingleCare to sticking to generic drugs, keep reading to find out how you can start saving today!

How to Save on Medical Bills

1. Stay in-network!
Most insurance companies have a list of providers that are in-network. Securing services and treatments from these providers is often more affordable than going out-of-network. Simply call your insurance company or log online to find a list of in-network providers. I always stick with in-network doctors to keep costs in check. Occasionally, it means I might have to travel to see an in-network specialist but I almost always find in-network physicians within a short drive of my home. My particular insurance company offers no out-of-network benefits, so if I saw an out-of-network provider, I would be responsible for 100% of the bill!

2. Choose generic!
Some people mistakenly believe that generic drugs are less potent or less safe than the brand name alternatives. However, the truth is that all drugs undergo thorough scrutiny before being placed on the shelves and generic versions are just as effective as their brand name counterparts. What’s amazing is that you can save significant money by simply going with the store brand. Even prescription drugs offer a generic option that’s typically much less expensive.

3. Use SingleCare!
Use SingleCare! SingleCare offers an easy way to save money on prescriptions, dental, vision and on-demand virtual physician consultations. SingleCare wants you to avoid the hassle of worrying about coverage limitations or deductibles and wants you to get the medical care you need at a great price.

It’s completely free to join. Simply download the free app on the iTunes/Google Play store or visit their website here. You can save money when you fill a prescription using a SingleCare card. The card is accepted at over 35K pharmacies across the country, including Walgreens, Rite Aid, & Walmart. The pharmacist will take your card and process the order using the BIN & PCN number found on your SingleCare card.

There are even dentists, optometrists & online physicians that offer discounts to SingleCare members. You can save up to 80% on these services! That savings will surely put a smile on your face! You can check out their website (or use their app) to see the costs after taking into account the SingleCare discount. I compared the prices of a recent prescription medicine I needed. If I had used the SingleCare discount, I could have saved 70%! Please note that you can use either the SingleCare discount or your insurance, so have the pharmacist ring up both prices and choose the lower one!  

Even scheduling a virtual visit with a licensed physician through their app is totally affordable. I have used virtual physician visits in the past and the convenience of this service cannot be beat! You don’t have to deal with parking, traffic, long wait times, etc. Simply log on and chat with a doctor in no time!

So what are you waiting for? Download the app for iTunes or Google play store today.

4. Review every bill!
This one is an important one. Did you know that over the last several years, I have found at least five significant errors on bills I’ve received from providers? Sometimes the insurance company was not charged properly- it was a simple administrative error of a typo in my insurance ID number. Sometimes the provider over-charged me at the time of the visit and after the insurance made their adjustments, it turned out that I was owed a refund. It always pays to go through every line in your medical bills. Look for errors or typos. Make sure what you’re being charged is fair and accurate.

5. Set up a health savings account!
A health savings account is a dedicated account you set up with your insurance company to set aside some money for medical expenses throughout the year. There are significant tax benefits of using a health savings account, so it’s an easy way to stretch your dollar farther when it comes to medical expenses.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. How do you keep your medical bills in check? Do you stick with generic? Have you ever found errors on medical bills? What is your best money-saving tip?

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