3 Ways to Cope With Rising Healthcare Costs: We all know healthcare is important, but very few Americans can afford to go to the doctor. Healthcare costs are growing at a rate of 5.4% per year, affecting every single American. And if your employer isn’t matching your pay to inflation, you’re likely struggling.
Whether you’re in an emergency situation or you need to see a doctor regularly, the burden of healthcare costs rising is eating away at your bank account. So, how can you deal with the rising healthcare costs? There are life changes that you can make to achieve affordable healthcare. Here are 3 ways to cope — with or without purchasing new or better health insurance.
1. See What Your Insurance Offers
It’s beneficial to see what your plan covers. All Obamacare plans cover preventative measures, which usually include a free checkup. Understand that not all plans cover yearly physicals and other necessities, such as certain medications and vaccines.
This also extends to those who are pregnant and have children. If you’re pregnant, prenatal care will ensure you and your baby are healthy. And if you have children, yearly doctor’s appointments can uncover underlying health problems in your children. Staying healthy and active is also vital. See if your health insurance provides gym membership discounts.
Insurance is not always perfect, as you could face various legal problems with Medicaid and similar plans. In that case, it’s always beneficial to find a Medicaid planning attorney near me.
2. Cut Medication Costs
What if your health insurance doesn’t cover your medication? You can still cut some of these costs. Ask your doctor if generic medications are an option or if you can switch to a cheaper medication that treats the same ailment. Some pharmacies, such as online and mail-order pharmacies, are cheaper than big-box stores.
3. Go to an Urgent Care Center
Many Americans make the mistake of going to the emergency room when they don’t need to. If you have an illness or even a minor injury, you should visit an urgent care center first.
From strep throat to a dog bite, urgent care centers can treat many conditions. Urgent care centers are not only cheaper than the emergency room but you can receive treatment quicker. Because they’re so popular, there’s likely an urgent care center near you.
It’s still important to know when to visit the ER. Situations that warrant an ER visit include a life-threatening accident, permanent damage, childbirth complications, and symptoms such as trouble breathing and severe pain.
Handle Rising Healthcare Costs
With the rising healthcare costs, you may think you have no other options. Fortunately, there are ways to receive vital health treatment while saving money. First, take advantage of health insurance benefits.
But even with the rising cost of healthcare, not all Americans have health insurance. Even if you don’t have health insurance, cutting medication costs and choosing urgent care over emergency care are just a few ways to stay healthy while reducing medical costs.
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