The Healthcare-Debt Diet: 7 Ways To Avoid Going Into Medical Debt
By Michelle Katz
Start your New Year more healthcare conscious in terms of your purse. Here are some tips to help keep you medical debt free this year:
1) REVIEW YOUR PLAN:
Whether you have a PPO, HMO, or HSA don't forget to review your plan for the new year! Did your policy change, were their new preventative measure added, or did your doctor drop your policy? Dont assume your policy is still the same, even if simply renewed your same for the past few years. Small changes can mean big costs the next time you see your doctor.
2) TRY NEGOTIATING THIS YEAR AND PAY CASH:
Talk to your doctor and tell him/her you are trying to cut costs this year and if he or she can help. Offer to pay cash upfront or see if you can work out a payment plan for a discount.
3) SHOP AROUND:
Whether is for a hospital or a pharmacy, prices will vary. With a hospital, find out what is included in your stay. Tell the accounting office that you are scheduled for ame exact surgery with ame doctor on date. When dealing with your pharmacy give them the name and quantity you need of your drug. Dont forget about calling on those wholesale clubs, even if you do not have a membership! You may be surprised by how much you can save!
4) FIND OUT WHEN THE HEALTHCARE EXPOS ARE:
Get a free screening at a local healthcare expo. Save these results and bring them in to your next check up.
5) START EXERCISING AND EATING RIGHT:
Have you doctor help you find the right diet and exercise for you? Do you need to pay particular attention to your sodium intake, or does tomato sauce give you reflux? Do you have bad knees? What exercise is best for you? Set some goals this year.
6) SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS:
Whether it is over-the-counter medication or mileage to get to your doctors office, document it all!!!! The IRS allows you to deduct medical bills that exceed 7.5% of your gross income. That's a high bar, but the list of eligible expenses is extensive, including insurance premiums, dental X-rays, fertility treatments, prescribed weight-loss and stop-smoking programs and even LASIK eye surgery. See irs.gov/publications/p502 for the details.
7) CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK:
Everyone makes mistakes, your insurance company, the hospital, the doctors office, the pharmacy and yes, even your doctor. We are all human, so be sure to ask questions, ask for an itemized bill and add the charges up yourself, etc. Dont assume. Write down the answer, the person that gave that answer to you, the date and their contact information so you can go back to that person if there is a mistake. If you dont ask, you are empowering someone else with you health, and that can cost thousands in the end!
A healthcare consultant and international medical reporter, Michelle Katz, MSN, from ABC 7 in Washington, DC, has been interviewed in several news markets including CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Oprah & Friends Radio, the New England Cable Network, and is a frequent guest on WUSA in Washington, DC. She is the host of cable television show, Todays Health and a Celebrity Guru for LifeTips as well as the healthcare contributor for EONS. Katz has been a senior healthcare consultant at Arthur Andersen and consulted in the development of congressional healthcare legislation. Her advice has been heard on countless radio stations across the country. She is a sincere, engaging guest and we are sure your audience will welcome an interview or feature. She received her masters degree in nursing from Georgetown University after suffering from a car accident which landed her in the hospital when she had no insurance. She survived with no medical debt and lives in Washington, DC.
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