Trim the Cost of Your Health Care Bills
Health care is a huge expense for a lot of people. In fact, one in four Americans delay or don't get needed medical treatment because they can't afford it! That’s according to a study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation. So, I have advice that’ll help you trim the cost of your health care bills from CNN.com:
- Try discount dental care. Check out the American Dental Association’s website for a list of dental schools - which charge a lot less than regular dentists. It’ll be students working on your teeth, but they’ll be supervised by professionals. You could save up to 60%!
- You can buy contact lenses online. The exact same lenses that would cost twice as much if you buy them from an optometrist. You should still get your eyes checked once a year. According to Science Daily News, people who buy their contacts online are less likely to follow healthy eye-care practices. So, make sure you still see your doctor. Don’t sacrifice your health to save money.
- Discount drugs. Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs will tell you if there’s a less-expensive drug that’ll work just as well as the one your doctor prescribed. For example, if you take Lipitor for high cholesterol, a generic called Lovastatin will save you $64 a month. There are many other generic prescriptions for a range of medical conditions, but again, make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor to make the swap.
- Check your hospital bills. Experts estimate up to 90% of hospital bills contain errors, but they can be hard to read. The Patient Advocate Foundation will review your medical bills free of charge.
- Take a tax deduction. You’re eligible if your medical and dental bills add up to more than 7.5 percent of your income. Keep track of your expenses at Change Health Care, which gives you a report ready to submit to the IRS.
