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Saving Money on Health Care and Insurance

Tips for Saving Money on Health Care and Insurance as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.

Do Shop Around

Our family has always had health insurance through where I work and have always been grateful for that. My employers cover me and I pay a "group rate" for my hubby and two kids. This fall when our already high premium shot up $140 per month and our deductible doubled, we started asking questions.

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We went to an outside company that offered the same insurance (BCBS) and the same coverage, and by signing up my husband and kids with an individual policy, we saved $400 a month. "Group Policies" aren't the stellar deal you'd think they be so ask questions and shop around if you feel you are paying too much. But whatever you do, don't DROP your coverage or go for something second rate to save money!

By FRanticMommy

Keeping Rates Low

  1. Do not use any form of tobacco. Most companies raise your rates if you use it.
  2. Maintain an "average weight". They look for things like rapid weight gains and losses and they watch out for those "spare tires", "beer bellies", and "love handles". They do allow a little extra weight; but too much and you will either pay more or be declined.
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  4. Pay now or pay later. You can keep your monthly rates low with a high deductible; but, if there is an accident, a heart attack, stroke, cancer, etc can you really come up with $5,000 - $10,000 up front to pay the hospital? Sometimes, a higher premium now can save you a fortune in a couple of years unless you have a nest egg set aside that you are willing to part with later.

By Ginger Yazak

Utilize Community Resources

There are a lot of public clinics that operate at or near cost. Most have sliding scales for low income but don't be afraid to take advantage of them. Sometimes the office visit will be cheaper than going through your insurance company and paying your deductible. College students may have a clinic run by the college or university for low or no cost.

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Also, there are many community events where they do vision or hearing screening or other health services. Annual flu shot clinics can be found at various places, from libraries to grocery stores. Take advantage of as much discounted health care as you can.

Jess in Oregon

Price Shop Pharmacies

If you're in the unfortunate situation of paying the full price of your prescription medications, phone around to area pharmacies and compare prices. Be sure you're asking about the exact dosage prescribed and for the price of the generic equivalent if one exists. You may be surprised how much variation there is.

By ChloeA

Buy Vitamins Online

Anyone who takes vitamins and nutritional supplements can probably buy the same things for much less on the internet. I recently discovered a company called Lucky Vitamin that has nearly all major brands and really low prices.

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By Anne

Take Care Of Yourself

Remember this: it costs more to cure an ill than it does to prevent one! "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

By melody_yesterday

Weighing Retirement With Insurance Costs

If you are close to "early retirement" age, check out what it will cost you to continue carrying health insurance. You just may want to stay working a few years longer. With my husband's work (state firefighter) we were on a group plan with the insurance company "UHC" and paid about $300 a month, and $8 a month for dental coverage for our family.

Because of health problems my husband decided it was either retirement or disability time. Also being an Air National Guard retiree, when he would hit 60 we would be eligible for Tri-Care. In the mean time, for the next 3 years, we are enrolled in the COBRA program for UHC, responsible for the full amount of our insurance costs to the tune of $1,300 a month, plus $68 a month for the dental.

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We tried finding a different company for our health insurance, (5 different companies) including the one we have both our house and cars with, and because we have a teenager with a pacemaker, all would have riders written in them excluding him. They all told us we were between a rock and a hard place. By the way, had we chosen the disability route, Social Security told us that medical insurance wasn't included--just a monthly disability check.

We also inquired into a Health Share plan, but we deemed ineligible to join them because of our son's pacemaker. You have to be in good shape from the get-go to be able to enroll with them... bottom line. Check things out to see if you REALLY are ready to retire!

By Kathy

Doctor with a stethoscope.
 
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By mama2mybeautifulbabies (Guest Post)
October 27, 20080 found this helpful

To Prairemom: Don't give up with the disablity. Most people get turned down at least 3 times and have to go to a "trial" b4 they get it. Good luck

 
November 21, 20080 found this helpful

Lower your premium and cancel Personal Injury Protection will decrease your auto insurance.

http://www.chillmybills.com

 
By Happyhelper. (Guest Post)
December 4, 20080 found this helpful

I just went to a new Doctor for a diabetes check up and to renew my medications since my old doctor had moved. I chose a Doctor located between our house and my husbands work because we have one car and I am able to schedule appointments or tests close to the time when I drop him off in the morning for fasting bloodwork or in the afternoon near his quitting time. That way I combine my visits with drop-off and pick-up times at work. Our pharmacy is also between home and work and yesterday I asked for a referral to a dentist between the two as well. My AIC used to be 10 but I have been working steadily to make improvements to my lifestyle and my last A1C was 6.8!

I have had diabetes for nearly 20 years and know it is always an uphill battle. I walk back and forth to a part-time hob, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, and have greatly reduced the size of my servings of starch vegetables. If I don't want to eat a salad at lunch I try to drink tomato or V-8 juice. I massage my feet and legs with lotion from the dollar store every morning and night. At breakfast I make orange water by combining about a tablespoon of pure orange juice with water to fill the juice glass. I make oatmeal by combining 2 tablespoons of regular oats, 1 tablespoon of oat bran and 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with One cup of skim milk in a saucepan. I set my electric stove burner on medium and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat off and let it stand for two minutes. I add walnuts or sliced almonds,and eiher half a sliced banana or a tablespoon of raisins and/or chopped dried apricots. You can add a little more milk if needed. It is nutritious and delicious.

I dress nicely every day, even if I am going to be at home and try to have a positive attitude. I suffer from "Happy-itis". No my life is not problem free but making the most of my condition and each day has brought me many health benefits and gotten me through some tough times of my own. I try to encourage my blind girlfriend, who also has diabetes and we lift each other up. Help another and you can't help but lift yourself as well.

Yesterday I told my Doctor that I could not afford all the tests that are routinely requested because we have such high deductibles. He said that since I am doing so well that I only need a few tests and that I only have to go back in 6 months. He also wrote me a 3 month prescription for my medication because I can get a discount on it and he wrote a refill 3-month prescription.

 
January 2, 20090 found this helpful

Are you in need of Affordable Dental or Health Plans?

Individual Dental Plan = $14.95, Plus a one time Registration Fee of $20.00
Includes: Dental, Vision, Prescription & Chiropractic.
For the only one person.

Dental Plus = $19.95, Plus a one time Registration Fee of $20.00
Includes: Dental, Vision, Prescription & Chiropractic.
For the entire family (up to 20 people, Who live in your home.)
"Don't have to be related to each other to qualify"

Basic Health = $29.95, Plus a one time Registration Fee of $30.00
Includes: Physician, Ancillary Services, Hospital Advocacy,
Nurse Line & Podiatry Services.
For the entire family (up to 20 people, Who live in your home.)
"Don't have to be related to each other to qualify"

Total Health = $39.95, Plus a one time Registration Fee of $30.00
Includes: Dental, Vision, Prescription, Chiropractic,
Physician, Ancillary Services, Hospital Advocacy,
Nurse Line & Podiatry Services.
For the entire family (up to 20 people, Who live in your home.)
"Don't have to be related to each other to qualify"

Total Health Plus = 59.95, Plus a one time Registration Fee of $30.00
Includes: Dental, Vision, Prescription, Chiropractic,
Physician, Ancillary Services, Hospital Advocacy,
Nurse Line, Podiatry Services, AmeriPlan® Auto Club, AmeriPlan® Identity Theft Assistance & AmeriPlan® Legal
For the entire family (up to 20 people, Who live in your home.)
"Don't have to be related to each other to qualify"

You can sign up on line today " and see a doctor or a dentist tomorrow." by going to www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40581105
Please note, You will be asked for an IBO# it's 4581105

If you are spend more then $90.00 per month on prescription drugs
We have something for you, check out this sites to see if you qualify.
www.apaponline.net/.../pg126-pn_APAP_Home.html?custnum=40581105

Member in good standing with the Consumer Health Alliance & National
Association of Dental Plans.

Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce since 2006, Direct Selling
Association & National Association of Health Underwriters.

Like to see the Residual Income side of this? Please go to www.myhomebusinesspays.com/40581105, Please make the time to watch the free videos on the side of the site.

You can start your own business to today, By signing up on line after you watch the videos.

Excited about your Future?

Lets talk

Roy Wassner
1-888-227-5829
HelpingPeopleBeCom@att.net "e-mail"
Your Success Is our Success
Together Everyone Achieves More.

I would Appreciate any and all Referral you send my way!!! "Thank You!!!"

 
 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
January 19, 20120 found this helpful

If you have insurance through your employer or medicare your personal injury protection on your auto policy won't pay I was told. That's double insurance you don't need and don't carry.

 

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