Comments on: 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care Costs http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care Save Money. Save the Environment. Be Happy. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:01:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Blythehttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-17528 Blythe Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:52:04 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-17528 I've just turned thirty two and your tips are going to come in handy. I just have to quit smoking and drinking, lose belly fat and avoid stress. And then I'm going to qualify for a major deductible! I’ve just turned thirty two and your tips are going to come in handy. I just have to quit smoking and drinking, lose belly fat and avoid stress. And then I’m going to qualify for a major deductible!

]]> By: Sam Phttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-15614 Sam P Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:05:46 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-15614 This is great advice...I believe another way to save money on health insurance would be to lower your BMI to a healthy rate, avoid dangerous activities, and quit smoking. After you receive a reevaluation from your doctor you may be eligible for further discounts. This is great advice…I believe another way to save money on health insurance would be to lower your BMI to a healthy rate, avoid dangerous activities, and quit smoking. After you receive a reevaluation from your doctor you may be eligible for further discounts.

]]> By: Jessicahttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-13640 Jessica Mon, 09 Aug 2010 22:58:25 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-13640 An add-on for #3 - This might not be the case everywhere, but there are often free dental clinics for those who can prove they don't have dental insurance and/or are low-income, or special reduced-price/free programs at otherwise pricey clinics. Try larger operations, like hospitals with a dental clinic, I find they're more likely to offer significant price reductions if you ask/haggle for them. For any fellow Wisconsinites, our fair state provides a list of providers who give cheaper/free dental services. See it here: http://www.wda.org/tab/public and the dental associations in other states probably keep lists like this, too. An add-on for #3 – This might not be the case everywhere, but there are often free dental clinics for those who can prove they don’t have dental insurance and/or are low-income, or special reduced-price/free programs at otherwise pricey clinics. Try larger operations, like hospitals with a dental clinic, I find they’re more likely to offer significant price reductions if you ask/haggle for them. For any fellow Wisconsinites, our fair state provides a list of providers who give cheaper/free dental services. See it here: http://www.wda.org/tab/public and the dental associations in other states probably keep lists like this, too.

]]> By: Dawnhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-13628 Dawn Sat, 07 Aug 2010 05:52:32 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-13628 I have one to add to your list (well, I'll break it down into two): Call your doctor first. Oftentimes I can call my doctor and ask her to call me back at her earliest convenience and give her a basic idea about my concern. I have never once been asked to come in after calling her. It probably helps that she sees my entire family (parents, grandma) and is a family friend but I truely think that if you have a good doctor she/he will be willing to answer any questions you have. She understands I can't afford jack diddly and knows I am calling to see if I need to come in. And even when I do have to come in usually she just sees me for five minutes in the reception area unless it is really personal (of course so long as no one else is in the area so as to not violate HIPPA). My other one is this: do your own research. WebMD helps but ultimately you know your symptoms and your common illnesses. Talk to others in your family and friend circle as they often have a basic knowledge as well. If you truely can't figure it out then go in but for things like rashes or sinus issues you can check them yourself for signs of infection, etc. I recently developed a food allergy. I dealt with the symptoms (they weren't life threatening at first) and called my mom to ask what it could be. She mentioned an intollerance so I went online. Figured out it was an allergy and did the elimination diet (the main way to tell without having to do tests that cost money) to tell for sure. So, in summary: Research yourself and try self diagnosis. The call your doctor before you set up an appointment. I have one to add to your list (well, I’ll break it down into two):

Call your doctor first. Oftentimes I can call my doctor and ask her to call me back at her earliest convenience and give her a basic idea about my concern. I have never once been asked to come in after calling her. It probably helps that she sees my entire family (parents, grandma) and is a family friend but I truely think that if you have a good doctor she/he will be willing to answer any questions you have. She understands I can’t afford jack diddly and knows I am calling to see if I need to come in. And even when I do have to come in usually she just sees me for five minutes in the reception area unless it is really personal (of course so long as no one else is in the area so as to not violate HIPPA).

My other one is this: do your own research. WebMD helps but ultimately you know your symptoms and your common illnesses. Talk to others in your family and friend circle as they often have a basic knowledge as well. If you truely can’t figure it out then go in but for things like rashes or sinus issues you can check them yourself for signs of infection, etc. I recently developed a food allergy. I dealt with the symptoms (they weren’t life threatening at first) and called my mom to ask what it could be. She mentioned an intollerance so I went online. Figured out it was an allergy and did the elimination diet (the main way to tell without having to do tests that cost money) to tell for sure.

So, in summary: Research yourself and try self diagnosis. The call your doctor before you set up an appointment.

]]> By: Mickeyhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-12781 Mickey Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:11:32 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-12781 Feel lucky that you ONLY pay $60/month. I am on COBRA and pay $606 a month. And am in month six of unemployment/no income. Despite having applied to several alternate insurance plans, I have to stay on my COBRA coverage. In terms of #5, I have had to see a few doctors and in the case of one of the specialists I saw, I told him about my situation (unemployed, cannot currently gain employment despite trying, etc) and he didn't charge me anything but my copay ($25). This particular specialists (and others like him that I have seen prior) are anywhere from $250-450 per visit (whether that is 5 minutes or an hour). So, yes, make sure you talk with your doctor especially if you are in a financially hard situation like mine. Feel lucky that you ONLY pay $60/month. I am on COBRA and pay $606 a month. And am in month six of unemployment/no income. Despite having applied to several alternate insurance plans, I have to stay on my COBRA coverage.

In terms of #5, I have had to see a few doctors and in the case of one of the specialists I saw, I told him about my situation (unemployed, cannot currently gain employment despite trying, etc) and he didn’t charge me anything but my copay ($25). This particular specialists (and others like him that I have seen prior) are anywhere from $250-450 per visit (whether that is 5 minutes or an hour). So, yes, make sure you talk with your doctor especially if you are in a financially hard situation like mine.

]]> By: The Ultimate Simple Living Guide: 95 Rockin’ Postshttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-12775 The Ultimate Simple Living Guide: 95 Rockin’ Posts Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:01:58 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-12775 [...] The Joy of Walking 12. 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 201013. 6 Simple Ways to Eat More Healthfully14. The Ultimate How to Get Lean Guide15. The 11 Most [...] [...] The Joy of Walking 12. 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 201013. 6 Simple Ways to Eat More Healthfully14. The Ultimate How to Get Lean Guide15. The 11 Most [...]

]]> By: Simple Living News Updatehttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-11908 Simple Living News Update Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:00:40 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-11908 [...] 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care [...] [...] 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care [...]

]]> By: RenaissanceRoninhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-11867 RenaissanceRonin Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:22:43 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-11867 Wow, you're turning 31? Jeez... you're O-L-D. I remember turning 31 like it was just... um... er... about that many years ago... almost. ;) You forgot one: Don't burn POISON IVY in a bonfire in your yard! It'll kill you faster than sucking the heads off Crawfish! :) Hope you're feeling better! You don't have time to be sick! BTW: My Captcha phrase was \30 dummies.\ And how old are you? Hmmm? How can you use a site process that makes fun of YOU? :) Man, ya couldn't make this stuff up! Ronin Wow, you’re turning 31? Jeez… you’re O-L-D.

I remember turning 31 like it was just… um… er… about that many years ago… almost. ;)

You forgot one:

Don’t burn POISON IVY in a bonfire in your yard!

It’ll kill you faster than sucking the heads off Crawfish! :)

Hope you’re feeling better! You don’t have time to be sick!

BTW: My Captcha phrase was \30 dummies.\ And how old are you? Hmmm? How can you use a site process that makes fun of YOU? :)

Man, ya couldn’t make this stuff up!

Ronin

]]> By: 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 2010 | The Greenest Dollar Equity on mehttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/01/frugal-tips-for-saving-on-health-care/#comment-11865 7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 2010 | The Greenest Dollar Equity on me Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:16:44 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2712#comment-11865 [...] the original here:  7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 2010 | The Greenest Dollar tags: applies, claimant, health-savings, johnson, lucky-enough, major-health, per-month, [...] [...] the original here:  7 Frugal Tips for Saving on Health Care In 2010 | The Greenest Dollar tags: applies, claimant, health-savings, johnson, lucky-enough, major-health, per-month, [...]

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