How to Reduce Your Health Care Costs

As you get older, how you take care of yourself — as well as how much it costs you to do so —  becomes a bigger priority than it might have been in the past. With the rising cost of doctor’s visits and medications, you may worry that your insurance plan won’t cover everything, but there’s no need to stress! There are plenty of actions you can take to reduce your healthcare costs.

How to Reduce Your Health Care Costs

Preventative Care:

• Perform self examinations. Finding a problem early can reduce the amount of treatment (and therefore cost) you’ll need to fix it.
• Take care of yourself. If you have a poor diet and/or don’t exercise regularly, you’re more likely to suffer from ailments down the line. Eat right and make sure to exercise in order to keep yourself from getting sick in the first place.

When You’re Sick:

• See your doctor. Ignoring an illness can only make it worse over time, resulting in high health care costs down the line.
• Skip the emergency room. If you have a simple cold, don’t immediately run to the hospital. Try taking an over-the-counter remedy or visiting your local pharmacy for help first.

When Your Need To Take Medication:

• Actually take your prescription. Around 20% of people don’t even fill the prescriptions their doctors give them. Fill yours and make sure to take it according to the instructions to get yourself better and avoid future problems.
• Go generic. If your medication is a bit too pricey for your pocketbook, ask your doctor about generic versions. They’re often just as good and cost a lot less money.
• Try mail-order medications. If you have a medication you take on a regular basis, such as cholesterol or heartburn meds, see if your insurance company offers a mail order option. You’ll usually get a 90-day supply for way less than you’d pay at a pharmacy.

While there are plenty of ways to reduce your health care costs, there are also plenty of ways to ensure it doesn’t get too high to begin with, such as long-term care insurance and medicare.

At  American Investment Planners LLC, we make it a priority to help you prepare for the best financial future possible. From investments to estate planning, we’re here to help with anything you may need. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.