Top 10 Ways to Cut Your Health Insurance Bills 十大如何削减健康保险法案

With health care costs constantly rising, you may be looking for ways to lower your medical expenses. These 10 ideas can get you started.

1. Practice prevention
This may seem basic, but one of the most effective ways to lower your medical expenses over time is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For example, you can:

* Take advantage of wellness programs
* Maintain a healthy weight
* Exercise regularly
* Kick unhealthy habits (e.g. smoking)
* Have regular checkups

2. Shop around for health insurance
If you don't have employer-sponsored health insurance, you may be ready to look for individual health insurance. Because premiums vary widely, you'll probably save money if you get quotes from several companies. Evaluate each plan's coverage and features, taking into account exclusions, limitations, and the freedom to choose health care providers, among other things. Also find out how much you'll end up paying out of pocket in the form of co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles, because even relatively small amounts of money can really add up if you make frequent visits to your doctor. If you're healthy and just want protection for a major illness or accident, consider Catastrophic Health Insurance Coverage.

3. Cut the cost of prescription drugs
Try ordering your prescriptions through the mail, using a traditional or online pharmacy. If you belong to a prescription drug plan (e.g. through your health insurance), you may be able to get a three-month supply of your prescription drug through the mail for the same price you would pay for a one-month supply at your local pharmacy. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor to recommend a less-expensive generic drug whenever possible. In addition, many groups and pharmacies offer prescription drug discount programs, although they usually offer small savings at best and large drawbacks at worst. Senior citizens and others on a limited budget may also apply directly to pharmaceutical companies for prescription assistance.

4. Check your medical bills
Check every itemized statement your receive from a hospital or physician to make sure that the bill accurately reflects the treatment you received and applies all available insurance coverage. Some errors, such as incorrect computer codes, are common, and you may be billed for health care you never received. Contact the billing office if you think you've found a mistake. If you've received an explanation of benefits from your insurance company that you believe is wrong, ask the company to review your claim.

5. Join your spouse's health plan
Many married couples maintain separate health insurance coverage even though it may not be cost effective to do so. Examine both your coverage and your spouse's coverage to see if it makes sense for either of you to join the other's plan. Keep in mind that most plans allow you to add a spouse to your plan within a certain period after you get married (e.g. 30 days). Otherwise, you may have to wait for the plan's annual open enrollment period.

6. Keep track of your medical expenses
Come tax time, you may be able to deduct certain medical expenses. The current IRS rules specify that you must itemize your deductions, and your total medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Allowable medical expenses include everything from health care services to medical aids (e.g. eyeglasses, hearing aids). And, don't wait until the end of the year to track these expenses, if there's a chance you'll be able to deduct them on your income tax return.

7. Investigate health care incentives
Health care providers sometimes offer wellness incentives to their customers. These can include regularly attending a gym, pledging not to smoke, and preventive care programs. Many health insurance companies will give an annual or monthly discount if you simply get a physical once a year and have a doctor certify that you're receiving proper preventive care.

8. Contribute to a tax-favored medical account
Your employer may offer a tax-favored health plan such as a flexible spending arrangement or health savings account (HSA) that allows you to put pretax dollars in an account. You can then use these funds to pay for or reimburse your out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and co-payments. Because these contributions are taken out of your pay before federal and state taxes are calculated, you get to use pretax dollars to pay your medical bills. In some cases, these accounts can provide an investment savings option as well.

9. Take advantage of free health screenings and immunizations
If your health insurance doesn't provide adequate coverage in some areas, or if you don't have any health insurance coverage at all, you may want to look into free health screenings. Local clinics and hospitals often provide a variety of screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and mammograms. You may also find free flu shots and well-child check-ups at government offices or your local WIC program.

10. Get to know your health insurance
Your health insurance may cover more than you think. Insurance companies often provide benefits designed to help you stay safe and healthy. For example, you may receive discounts on vitamins, alternative medicines, health club memberships, exercise equipment, and bike helmets.

You may also be surprised at the range of coverage your health plan offers. For instance, it may cover dental care for young children, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. Read your plan membership materials to find out what products and services are available through your health plan before you pay for them on your own.


随着医疗费用不断上升，您可能会想方设法降低医疗费用看。这10个想法可以让你开始。

1。预防实践
这似乎根本，但最有效的方式随着时间的推移降低您的医疗费用之一是保持健康的生活方式。例如，您可以：

*留意健康计划的优势
*保持健康的体重
*定期运动
*踢（如吸烟，不良的生活习惯）
*有定期体检

2。货比三家医疗保险
如果您没有雇主赞助的健康保险，您可能已密切注意个人健康保险。由于保费差别很大，你可能会节省资金，如果你从几家公司报价。评估每个计划的覆盖范围和特点，同时考虑排除，限制人质，并自由选择医疗机构，等等。还发现了多少你最终掏腰包出的合作形式支付，共同保险和免赔额，因为即使是相对较小的资金量可能也随之增加，如果您对您的医生经常互访。如果你是健康的，只是想为重大疾病或意外保障，考虑灾难性的健康保险。

3。削减成本的处方药
尝试通过邮件订购您的处方，或使用传统的网上药房。如果您属于处方药计划（例如，通过你的健康保险），您可以通过获得以同样的价格您会为1个月的供应量，邮寄支付3个月的处方药物供应本地药房。您也可以要求您的药剂师或医生建议一个较便宜的仿制药只要有可能。此外，许多团体和药房提供处方药折扣计划，尽管他们通常提供小额储蓄在最坏的情况，充其量和大缺点。长者及在预算有限的人也可以直接申请援助，为制药公司处方。

4。检查的医疗费用
检查您的每一分项的发言得到了医院或医生，以确保该法案准确地反映您所收到的待遇，并适用于所有可用的保险。如不正确的计算机代码的某些错误，则是常见的，你可用于保健你从未收到帐单。联络办公室的帐单如果您认为您发现了一个错误。如果您收到您的保险公司，你认为是错误的，解释的利益要求，该公司审核您的申请。

5。加入您的配偶的健康计划
许多已婚夫妇保持独立的健康保险，尽管它可能并不符合成本效益这样做。同时检查的覆盖范围和配偶的覆盖面，看看它使你感觉可以加入其他的计划。请记住，大部分计划允许您添加一段时间内，你结婚后（例如30天）的配偶必须为你的计划。否则，你可能要等到该计划每年报名期间开放。

6。保持你的医疗费用跟踪
来报税时，您可以扣除一定的医疗费用。目前国税局规则规定，您必须细化您的扣除，以及您的总医疗费用必须超过7.5的调整后总收入％。允许医疗费用包括医疗服务，医疗救助的一切（如眼镜，助听器）。此外，不要等到今年年底要跟踪这些费用，如果有机会你就可以在你的收入中扣除税款归还。

7。调查保健措施
卫生保健提供者，有时也提供健身鼓励他们的客户。这些可以包括定期参加健身房，承诺不吸烟，预防保健项目。许多医疗保险公司将每年或每月的折扣，如果你只是得到身体一次，并有医生证明您收到适当的预防保健。

8。有助于税收优惠的医疗帐户
你的雇主可提供如灵活的支出安排或健康储蓄帐户（HSA）的，允许你把一个帐户税前美元，税收优惠的健康计划。然后，您可以使用这些资金来支付或偿还你外的口袋，如处方药，牙科保健，医疗费用，并共同支付。由于这些捐款是你的工资采取之前联邦和州税的计算，你使用税前收入支付的医疗费用。在某些情况下，这些帐户可提供的投资选择，也节省。

9。利用免费健康检查及预防接种的好处
如果您的健康保险不提供足够的覆盖一些地区，或者如果您没有任何医疗保险的所有，您可能想看看免费健康检查。当地诊所和医院经常放映提供了多种，如血压，胆固醇，和乳房X线照片。您也可以找到免费的流感疫苗和幸福的孩子检查的政府办公室或当地的WIC项目的程序窗口。

10。了解你的健康保险
健康保险可涵盖超出你的想像。保险公司通常提供旨在帮助您保持安全和健康的好处。例如，您可能会收到维生素的折扣，替代药品，健身俱乐部会员，运动器材，自行车和头盔。

您可能还感到吃惊的覆盖范围您的健康计划提供。例如，它可包括牙科照顾年幼子女，脊椎护理和针灸。读您的计划会员资料，了解哪些产品和服务，通过您的健康计划提供他们之前，你自己支付。