How to Save on the Rising Costs of Health Care
In 2007, health care spending in the United States reached $2.3 trillion, and was projected to reach $3 trillion in 2011.1 These rising costs can cause extra financial strain, but luckily there are options to help control these expenses.
Insurance Coverage
There were over 31 million visits to a doctor's office and over 29 million visits to an emergency room for the treatment of an injury in 2004 and unintentional injuries (accidents) were the leading cause of death for those under 35 years of age.2 Accident insurance provides basic coverage if you are injured in an accident and need treatment due to an injury. These plans can help cover some of those expenses by reimbursing you for doctor and emergency room visits if you are injured and need medical care.
Discount Health Care Savings
Discount healthcare programs are not insurance but can help secure savings for those with limited or no insurance, or individuals with high deductible plans. 3 The discount health care savings can be applied to all types of care, providing substantial savings on services such as dental care, prescription drugs, vision care, hearing care, nurse help line, and physician services for everyone in the household. It also provides discounts on services typically not covered by traditional insurance such as cosmetic dentistry, chiropractic care, and LASIK surgery. With the cost of health care on the rise, discount plans can help you save money and fill in the gaps of coverage to supplement a health insurance plan.
Helpful Services
There are also additional services provided, such as Patient Advocacy. This is a personal patient concierge service designed to provide an easy and reliable solution to help consumers navigate the confusing maze and complexities of today's healthcare system, such as:
- Finding primary care physicians, assisting member in making appointment.
- Certification of discounts received from provider
- Assisting in finding hard-to-reach specialists and critical illness physicians and medical institutions
- Identifying specialist physicians and medical institutions
- Solving billing and related administrative issues
- Finding senior care services that fall outside traditional health insurance coverage
If you're looking for ways to save on a variety of medical expenses, consider coverage options like the Health Advantage Plan.