There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to make a doctor’s appointment (even if it’s just for our annual routine check-up). And sometimes, based on the reason why we’re going, the kind of insurance we have (or don’t have) and how much certain tests and procedures cost, it can end up becoming a pretty costly visit.
If you’re someone who needs to see your physician, but the last few bills you’ve received from your doctor’s office have you a bit leery, we have five easy ways for you to save some money while you’re there.
Be clear about your coverage. If you do have insurance, it’s always a good idea to review your policy or even call your insurance company to discuss with them how much you’re expected to pay out of pocket. Some people find themselves being caught off guard when in their minds, the co-pay was one price but it ended up being another. If you don’t have insurance, ask your doctor’s office ahead of time how much they predict the visit will cost. Based on why you’re going to see them and their price quote, you might be better off going to a local medical clinic instead (being that they have clear flat rates for most of their procedures).
Get comfortable with getting a second opinion. It can take some time to establish a real trust between a doctor and patient. So, unless you’ve known your physician for years, it’s perfectly OK to get a second or even third opinion on a procedure or certain kind of surgery that might be recommended. Doctors are legally required to forward files and X-rays to other physicians per your request and you definitely need to have peace of mind about your health and what it costs to maintain it.
Call first. If you have a reoccurring issue such as a yeast infection or allergies and you’ve already been diagnosed by your physician, that information will be on file. Often, it can be just a matter of calling the doctor’s office, letting them know and having them call in a prescription for you. Of course, based on the symptoms that you describe, this may not always work because your doctor may want to examine you just to be on the safe side, but it certainly can’t hurt to ask.
Do as much as you can at once. If you went to a website like www.premierpatientline.co.uk for some advice on saving money while going to see your doctor, one of the things that they might tell you is that it’s important to do as much as you can in one office visit. There is a flat fee that you must pay to see your doctor, regardless of what the reason(s) might be. So, if you know that you need a physical and to run some tests and have an outpatient procedure, try and schedule that all at once so you’re not paying to see your doctor three different times.
Be proactive about your health. Of course, one of the best ways to save money at the doctor’s office is to not go and one of the smartest ways to help prevent that from happening is to eat right and get plenty of sleep and exercise. The more proactive you are about caring for your physical health, the less it will cost you to “fix what’s wrong” later down the road.
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