Ways to Save
Times are tough out there, and it feels like every bill is trying to outdo the last one. Since healthcare can be one of the trickiest (and priciest) parts of the puzzle, I’ve pulled together all the ways I’ve found to trim those costs. Hopefully, these tips help us all stretch our dollars a little further—because making ends meet is definitely a team sport these days.
1. Health insurance basics and plan comparison (deductibles, premiums, OOP max)
2. Choosing the right plan (HMO vs PPO vs EPO vs HDHP)
3. Using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
4. Preventive care and wellness (free screenings, vaccines)
5. Choosing lower-cost care settings (urgent care, retail clinics, telemedicine vs ER)
6. Price transparency and shopping for procedures (self-pay pricing, cost estimators)
7. Using generic and lower-cost medications (generic substitution, biosimilars)
8. Pharmacy savings (mail-order, discount cards, GoodRx, patient assistance programs)
9. Prescription management (therapeutic alternatives, 90-day supplies)
10. Negotiating medical bills and disputing errors
11. Understanding and managing medical debt (payment plans, charity care)
12. Using in-network providers and avoiding out-of-network bills
13. Prior authorization strategies and appeals
14. Bundled payments and asking for cash or self-pay discounts
15. Care coordination and second opinions for major procedures
16. Preventing hospital readmissions and avoidable tests/procedures
17. Chronic disease management to reduce long-term costs (diabetes, hypertension)
18. Mental health and substance use cost-saving options (community resources, sliding scale)
19. Dental and vision cost-saving strategies (discount plans, in-network providers)
20. Family planning and pregnancy cost management (prenatal care, birthing options)
21. Employer benefits optimization (wellness incentives, COBRA, cafeteria plans)
22. Medicare and Medicaid cost-saving strategies (Medicare Advantage, Part D gaps, programs of all-inclusive care)
23. Accessing community resources and low-cost clinics (FQHCs, free clinics)
24. Medical travel and cross-border care (when appropriate and safe) 25. Health literacy and advocacy (how to read EOBs, use patient advocates)