Comments on: The Easiest Way To Save On Healthcare

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:29:48 +0000

I agree with the writer as to following your doctor’s advice but at the same time being your advocate for your health and asking them ‘why’ like Jay mentioned. The two go hand in hand. The point being if your doctor prescribes a pill that you start cutting it in half (and many pills shouldn’t be), let your doctor know you are doing it rather than letting them think you are taking the full dose. If you think you only need the half dose, discuss it with the doctor. If you think a test isn’t warranted tell the doctor why not, ask for recommendations on less expenseive tests. Your doctor is your friend but they can’t effectively treat you if you aren’t telling them the truth.

Another important way to save is to become good friends with your pharmacist. These people are knowlegeable and able to explain and answer questions about your medication. I was once given a script for a medicine and they handed me a $75 off coupon for it at the same time. I know Medicare wasn’t going to cover any med that expensive. Talked to my pharmacist (who knows us and our limited finances) and he said this new med was basically the same as a pill I was already taking plus 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda–yes that less than a $1 box of baking soda. Obviously I wasn’t going to be paying over $100 for that!

Questions your treatmens, questions your prescriptions, use the computer for more than seeing the latest stupid pet tricks on youtube and research what you are being treated for and how it is normally treated, etc. The internet is very powerful in being able to educate. You may not be able to get a medical degree with it, but it helps put you in charge of your health.

By: Minny

Minny — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:21:41 +0000

The biggest ways to keep your health are to eat properly, not eternal salads but the sort of food most people’s grandmothers and greatgrandmother’s cooked and fed their families.

Walk more, there is no need to buy expensive gym membership or exercise equipment. These usually end up being unused within a couple of months anyway. Walk a couple of flights of stairs before getting the elevator. Increasing your movement within your daily life is much easier and often more effective than adding something like going to the gym.

Examine yourself for lumps, take the periodic tests needed, mammograms, pap tests, and generally be sensible and follow up anything found quickly.

Use the internet. The American Government print excellent recipe books, covering the main cultural groups, to help prevent high blood pressure, diabetis, heart problems. They are free and are worth using. There’s good information out there on how to keep blood pressure good, keep your weight right.

It’s not rocket science!

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:16:57 +0000

Sorry but disagree a bit: Doctors over prescribe, and order way too many expensive diagnostic tests.
I was prescribed PT for a frozen shoulder: total waste of time if the doc had understood the why (taking unnecessary statins). Ultimate fix was to stop the useless statins.
I know of folks getting a prescription for diuretics for a slightly elevated BP, rather than recommending a diet change first.
Last regular physical, the doc ordered what would have been over a thousand dollars (deductible) in tests. When asked why –”screening” for issues I had almost no risk for, and certainly no symptoms; one was ordered simply because the insurance company wouldn’t pay for the cheaper, easier test.
On the local news last night they addressed the overuse of colonoscopy vs an $8 home test….

The most important thing you can do as a patient when your doc prescribes/orders something is to ask “Why”. Keep asking until you understand.