A Few Simple Ways to Save Money on Healthcare

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Be a Wise Healthcare Consumer

Doctor with young girl and mother

As you’ve probably noticed, the cost of healthcare seems to rise each year. You may have seen news stories  about changes in services, plans, and costs. It’s easy to wonder what that means for you. Just like with any other major purchase, knowing where to get your health care services and what questions to ask can make a big difference in overall costs. There are many things you can do to get better health care for less. These suggestions are just a few of the ways you can save money on your health care.

  1. Shop around for medication. Wal-Mart, Target, and many other stores offer $4 generic drugs – but not the same ones – which is less than the UT SELECT generic copay. You can price any medication on the Express Scripts website. Login to the site, go to the "Manage Prescriptions" tab, and click "Price a Medication." While you’re there, you can also search for alternative medications that may cost less and would be acceptable to your doctor for your particular condition.

  2. Know what your health insurance policy covers. The time to dig into your policy is before you need to use it.  Find out about preapprovals, emergency room visits, copays for doctor visits and coinsurance for procedures. Detailed information can be found in the 2015-2016 UT SELECT Medical Plan Guide, on the UT SELECT BCBS website, or by speaking with a UT SELECT Customer Service team member at (866) 882-2034.

  3. Pick the right facility. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, don’t go to the emergency room.  A persistent cough or a broken finger can easily be treated in an urgent care center at a much lower cost. But not all clinics or urgent care centers are the same. Investigate the facilities near you before you need them so you can make the right choice when you’re injured or ill. You can contact a BlueCross BlueShield Benefit Value Advisor at (866) 882-2034 to discuss your facility options and which might be better suited for your needs.

  4. Check bills and your Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) for errors. Occasionally you may receive a bill for a procedure that should be completely covered.  A mistake in coding when the claim is filed can mean the difference between a mammogram with no copay and one that costs $600 or more. Be vigilant in checking both the bills you receive from providers and your Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), the detailed explanations that summarize how your claims were paid and how much of the cost is your responsibility. You can find your EOBs once you log into the Blue Access for Members page on the BCBS web site. When making calls about costs for your medical services, keep records of who you speak with and when. Customer service calls are often recorded and can be reviewed in case of an inconsistency. 

  5. Get copies of all your medical test results and records. Bringing these kinds of records with you to consultations can cut the number of tests and office visits you need.  Often, if you’ve had a test recently, there is no need to repeat it. Also, if you visit a doctor with test results in hand, she can advise you immediately rather than needing to set up another appointment after test results arrive.

  6. Take advantage of free screenings. Virtually every community has health fairs from time to time that offer free screenings for conditions like diabetes, HIV, high blood pressure, and some other common health issues.  Inquire with your local institution’s HR or Benefits office to find out whether screening programs are offered at your institution.

  7. Practice preventive care. That means taking prescribed medications, keeping up with a healthy lifestyle and visiting your primary care doctor for treatment of chronic conditions.  UT Select BCBS normally provides preventive care visits at no cost.  Additional information can be found in the 2015-2016 UT SELECT Medical Plan Guide, on the UT SELECT BCBS website, and by speaking with a UT SELECT Customer Service team member at (866) 882-2034.


Source: Mears, Teresa.  “12 Simple Ways to Save Money on Health Care.”  U.S. News.  30 January 2015. http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2015/01/30/12-simple-ways-to-save-money-on-health-care