Prescription medications can be frighteningly expensive, even with insurance coverage. Have you ever suffered sticker shock? It’s happened to me on several occasions, including a co-pay of $450 for a medication we didn’t even end up using! These high prescription medication prices are hurting our collective health and our wallets. How widespread and serious is […]
Archive | Money Issues
How to Shop Around for Healthcare Pricing
This post is the 2nd of a two-part series. The first post covers the benefits of shopping around for healthcare pricing, how often patients shop around, and what prevents patients from comparison shopping. This blog covers how to shop around for healthcare pricing. Can you learn prices from hospitals and providers before you get the […]
Can You Shop Around for Healthcare Prices? Yes, and You Should!
No one wants to waste money. We shop around for the best price for a car, a TV and other big-ticket items. Some of us even drive out of our way to save a few dollars on groceries or gas. However, most of us don’t think about medical expenses that way. We might not even think […]
Tips to Save Money on Prescriptions
Everyone has experienced the sticker shock of picking up an unexpectedly expensive medication from the pharmacy. Even with insurance coverage your co-pay can be expensive. Or perhaps you haven’t reached your deductible yet and have to pay the full price. How can you save money on prescriptions? Read on! What can you do? There are […]
What Can You Do to Reduce Your Healthcare Expenses?
In last week’s blog post I wrote about how the United States is the top spender in healthcare, yet Americans are not the healthiest population. A recent survey found that 85% of patients in the US feel care quality has not improved even though they are spending more on healthcare. Medical bills have frequently been cited […]
Why Does the US Spend So Much on Healthcare? Are People in the US Healthier?
A good portion of US citizens are worried about their healthcare costs, prompting many to delay or skip tests, treatments and medications. Since we know how high our own medical bills are, it’s not surprising to learn that in 2016 the US spent nearly twice as much on healthcare as 10 other high-income countries. Why […]
The High Cost of Healthcare is Keeping Patients from Seeking Care
Many Americans cannot afford the high cost of healthcare. It goes without saying that if you have a serious illness, or are dealing with a chronic illness, it will be harder for you to improve, or even maintain, your health if you cannot afford doctor visits, medications, tests and other healthcare expenses. Unfortunately, this is […]
Why are Ambulance Rides so Expensive?
It’s never a good thing when you, or a loved one, needs an ambulance. Whether it’s a car accident or a heart attack, it’s usually a scary event that prompts you to call 911. EMTs save our lives. But at what cost? Why are ambulance rides so expensive? I know from personal experience that when […]
Are High Deductible Health Plans Keeping Patients From Getting Care?
No one likes to waste money. And most of us are price conscious. We shop around, check the internet, and ask friends for advice, all in an effort to get the best price on the right product for our needs. However, when it comes to medical expenses, is it wise to forego appointments, medications and […]
Emergency Room Costs for the Uninsured are Alarmingly High
When you or a loved one has to be rushed to the emergency room, the last thing that should be on your mind is whether or not you will be able to pay the bills from the ER visit. However, that concern is a reality for many in the U.S. Don’t ignore this issue – […]