10 Money Saving Medical Tips

10 Money Saving Medical Tips

by J.L. Richardson, M.D.

You are your most important asset. Here are some money saving medical tips to help you during these tough financial times.

1) Keep your health insurance coverage. This is as important as your home and food. Cut expenses elsewhere to keep it in your budget. Let your doctor know if you do not have insurance coverage. Many offer discounts to the uninsured as do other health providers like hospitals and diagnostic centers. Pay for what you need instead of relying on insurance.

2) If you lose your job, get COBRA through your employer. You will have at least 18 months of coverage. You will have to pay for it. It is worth it.

3) Be sure you are up to date on your health maintenance. Get in now for your physical and preventive tests (mammogram, blood tests, eye exam, shots, etc.).

4) Check your medication, prescription and non-prescription. Review these with your doctor to discontinue any you really do not need, and/or can't afford. Let your doctor know if you are unable to afford any of your medication, so other options can be discussed such as drug assistance programs. Research them yourself on the Internet, and by calling or writing the drug company that makes your medication. Remember to include your non prescription medicines in your budget (like cough medicine, stool enhancers, pain relievers, etc.). Talk with your pharmacist.

5) Discontinue unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking. These items cost money and your health.

6) If you are disabled, you can withdraw money from your IRA without paying the penalty and taxes. You may need this money to pay for present or future health costs. It may benefit you more while you are well enough to enjoy it. By the time retirement rolls around, you may not be around.

7) Eat healthy small servings. Smaller portions of healthy food save your money and your health. Remember this when you eat out.

8) Exercise at home. Save your money and time on that gym membership. You can reap the same and better benefits with a home exercise program with or without expensive exercise equipment. Turn on the TV and participate in the fitness shows that are best for you. Exercise DVDs and tapes are a one time expense that can be used again and again. Ride your bicycle, take a walk or jog in your neighborhood. It all counts.

9) Continue your home exams like self breast exams, and self scrotal exams. You may detect something early. There is much controversy about the self breast exam, and it is no longer recommended by some. Common sense tells you that self detection is a smart thing to do.

10) Save money for your health bank. As insurance companies and plans cover less, you will be paying for more for services and premiums. Keep a nest egg for health expenses.

Remember that YOU are your most important asset. Great health is true wealth.


Dr. Richardson is the author of the award winning, Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.
http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/

Health Insurance Costs

Health care costs are up at least 5% from last year. Health insurance is up from 6% to 40% or more! This means that health insurance company profits are up. Check the earnings. Their profit is up even with decreased net income and higher medical costs. Almost 100 million people are paying off medical debt while insurers rake in piles of profit.

Hopefully President Obama will allow exemptions from medical debt, and allow capped prices on insurance premiums without regard to pre-existing conditions. Health insurance companies should discontinue lifetime limits on health coverage. At an $100,000 lifetime coverage limit, one or two major surgeries or a chronic disease with complications your coverage could evaporate in a year or two or less.

More consumer protection is needed. Protection with lifelong health membership would be optimal. The national health plan, National Health Insurance Exchange, will likely make this a reality giving all the privilege of being insured as securely as our President and Congress.


With a premium of $1000 month, your payment for one year is $12,000. This should be enough to guarantee lifetime coverage.
After all, your insurance premiums are giving insurance companies lifetime profits.

Medicare Physical

Medicare Part B coverage includes an initial preventive physical exam (IPPE) to all new enrollees. This "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is good for the entire year. In 2009 you have 12 months to get your physical. You are paying for it. You deserve it.

Call your doctor for an appointment before the schedule gets more filled up. Many doctors already have their schedules filled up to March especially specialists. There are less primary care physicians, and fewer are taking Medicare. It is an extremely prudent thing to do.

For more details go to www.medicare.gov
and/or call 1-800-633-4227.
(1-800-MEDICARE).

Self Check You - Be the Healthiest You Can Be

Congratulations, President Obama. You are healthy for this nation.

We the people of this mighty fine country vow to take the absolute best care of our most important asset - US. A nation is as great as its assets. We have so many. As long as us Americans stay healthy, we will stay wealthy.

True wealth is great health. It is time for you to take responsibility for your health. It is time for you to know what your health numbers are. It is time for you to know your medical conditions, risk factors, and family medical history.

Give yourself a medical checkup. Start by writing or typing or recording your medical history - medical conditions, surgery, treatments, family history. Add your medication. Save it. Update it. Add to it. Correct it. Keep it current. Keep a copy in a secure place.

Examine as much of yourself as you can. Look at your skin, hair, nails, eyes, teeth, and every part of your body that is visible to you. Make note of any abnormalities. Make note of any symptoms you have - new, old and ongoing. Go through each body system. Add this information to your medical history.

Add to this your doctors' and health care providers' names, phone number, land address, and email address.

Call your doctor for an appointment for a comprehensive CPE (complete physical exam). Take your information and notes with you on your appointment. Review everything with your doctor. Take notes.

Sign a medical record release to obtain a copy of your medical record from each doctor you see at the time of the visit.

Be sure to schedule a follow-up appointment within a month or less to go over everything with your doctor. Get copies of your information including blood tests, and any other tests as well as medical notes.

Take charge. Be the healthiest you can be - as a person, as a nation.

Great health is true wealth!


J. L. Richardson, M.D., family physician patient advocate, is author of Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

www.mypatienthandbook.com

The website offers a FREE excerpt from the book about the information for your medical history. Check it out.