Resources

Healthinsurance
info.net

familiesusa.org

Policyholdersof
america.org

Unitedpolicy
holders.org

naic.org

Health Care

1. Prescription Drugs:

    Use coupons for new prescription.
    Use discount at certain pharmacies for loyal customers. 
    Generic drugs are less expensive than prescription drugs (generic 
     substitution). Buy low-cost generics at chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart.
    Ask physician for free samples. 
    Ask doctor if you can safely split in half a higher dosage version of the prescription pill
    saving you on refills. 
    Check out rebates at drug manufacturer websites. 
     Therapeutic substitution is where you ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can
      switch to an older drug in the same category.
    Online/mail order pharmacies: Costco.com, familymeds.com, drugstore.com 
    
    Buy 90 day supply for drugs taken regularly and save on dispensing fee
    Discount drug programs (Medicare’s prescription drug coverage, Partnership  for
     prescription assistance pparx.org, Merck program)

         2. Choose your health care plan wisely 
   
      Choices are HMO, PPO, POS or the new HSA. 

      Factors affecting your choice are: flexibility of seeing any doctor, if you only need
      routine care, need only catastrophic coverage, annual premium, deductible,
      coinsurance, total out-of-pocket.

3.  Check hospital bills carefully for overcharges, false charges. 
    Appeal if the insurance company rejects your claim.

4.  Check out the Health Savings Account (HSA) which are tax-free 
    accounts that individuals with an HSA-compatible high-deductible
    insurance policy can fund and use to pay for a variety of health care
    services. HSA's are owned by the individual account holder and portable.
    HSA funds are tax-advantaged and balances can accumulate and grow
    over time.

5. Use Flexible Spending accounts to deduct pretax money from your
    paycheck to pay for heath care-expenses such as co-pays, deductibles and even
    over-the-counter drugs. 
    Check with your employer for details. 
    But remember, if you do not use your annual contribution in that calendar year, 
    you lose it.

6. Negotiate with your health-care providers, especially if there is hardship. 
    Talk to the manager of the doctor's office. For high deductible policies, 
    ask for a discount by offering to pay upfront and do the insurance paperwork by
     yourself.

7. Health insurance:
     
    Eliminate coverage you do not need. Understand Deductible, Copays and
    Coinsurance for health policies. Increase deductibles. Use all discounts possible.

           Take advantage of wellness discounts. 

    Challenge a claim that has been denied. Appeal to the Ombudsman at the  insurance company or an outside review panel (check out healthinsuranceinfo.net). Write a good covering letter explaining why you need to be reimbursed. Keep a good record of receipts, dates when phone calls were made or stuff was mailed, names of customer care representatives etc.  

     Employer-subsidized health care premiums are usually lower than university-sponsored
health plan unless student is part-time. Also Employer-subsidized health may not work if student is living out of state.   

8.  Compare health insurance premiums at least every year.  
    Compare premiums at eHealthInsurance

9. Use the Internet:
     Health info: Onhealth, coverageforall.org
     Hospitals/doctors info: Healthgrades.com, myuhc.com, subimo.com
     Hospital compare, Physicians-background.com, bestdoctors.com
     Prescription drugs: Drugstore.com