-
Step 1
Don't overlook the importance of preventative care. The easiest way to reduce your medical bills is to not get sick in the first place. Eat right, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep to make sure you're not constantly getting sick.
-
Step 2
Coupons and free samples aren't just for saving money grocery shopping. Doctors get special deals on everything from ADD medication to asthma inhalers, but they usually don't offer these to patients who don't ask.
-
Step 3
Consider generics. If a generic medication is available, you can drastically cut your prescription drug costs.
-
Step 4
Comparison shop to find the best prices on your medications. Wal-Mart, Target, and Safeway are some of the many stores offering $4 prescription drugs, but not all pharmacies have the same medications on the list. It's worth calling around to see what pharmacy has the best price, especially if you require several different medications each month.
-
Step 5
See if it's cheaper to get a three month prescription instead of paying monthly. In many cases, you can receive up to a 30 percent discount when you buy three months worth of medication at one time.
-
Step 6
Never assume your insurance will pay for a bill. Unless it's a true medical emergency, take the time to find out what's covered before your doctor's visit.
-
Step 7
If you don't have dental insurance, go to a dental school for your checkups. Students are supervisor by an experienced dentist and fees are usually about 50 percent less than standard exams.
-
Step 8
Take advantage of low-cost medical care options for children. If you can't afford health insurance for your children, see if your state offers a program to provide reduced price coverage for working families. For example, Iowa offers the Hawk-I program to uninsured children who meet specific income criteria.
