5 simple steps to control health care costs

by Tony Romano

We’ve all heard about rising health care costs, and most of us in some way have noticed their impact on our wallets. Even costs that affect relatively healthy people — doctor check-ups or dentist visits — have become noticeably pricier. In plainest terms, “something’s gotta give!” Are there any steps we can take personally to soften the financial blow of ever-increasing medical bills?

Actually, yes — there are several things we can do:

• Use network doctors. Almost any health plan you buy, whether directly or through your employer, includes a network of physicians contracted for lower rates. Health plans seek out the best doctors so that members (you) will receive the best possible care and be satisfied. So, using the doctors who are part of your plan not only saves you money but also brings you the assurance that a particular doctor has excellent credentials as part of your network.

• Use generic drugs. Prescription drug costs have been one of the fastest growing components of overall medical costs in recent years. They’re expensive because of all the time and resources needed to bring new medicines to the marketplace. For this reason, enterprising drug makers offer generic medicines with the same indications as the namebrands but at much lower cost. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as their name-brand counterparts. Sometimes there’s no generic available for a certain drug. But it’s always smart to ask. You could save considerable money by discussing a generic alternative with your doctor or pharmacist.

• Wellness visits (annual physical). It’s simple prevention. Perhaps the most basic service a doctor provides, an annual physical exam, ought to be routine. And yet, most Americans don’t bother with it. Wellness visits, which are usually subject to a small co-pay, are the best way your doctor can detect potential health threats.

• Physical fitness – diet and exercise. Closely linked with prevention but also just a way to feel and look good, physical fitness is a vital part of maintaining good health throughout your life. With a balanced diet that includes protein, starch and plenty of fiber, your body will get the nutrition it needs for energy. Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle can keep you in prime shape at any age.

• Review your health-care plan. What is your real out-of-pocket expense? To determine what you’re actually spending on a health plan, add up your premium plus co-pays plus deductibles. This formula will give you a better reading on what you’re really paying for your current coverage.

Now you’re ready to make a well-informed assessment to answer these questions: Does your plan fit your needs and lifestyle? Do you carry too much or too little coverage? The answer to these questions can guide you in your selections the next time you enroll in a health-care plan. 

Tony Romano is communications coordinator for Nationwide Health Plans.

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