How can I cut my health care costs?

Cutting health care costs is crucial on a small budget. Here are 13 great tips on how you can significantly reduce your health care costs:

1. Pick the health insurance plan that will provide you the most coverage for a certain amount of money: Shopping around for a health insurance company will help save you money. When shopping around, take notes and don’t immediately look for the cheapest price. You should compare the coverage and value for the amount of money that you’ll pay. Be sure that the health insurance plan that you choose not only suits your budget, but your lifestyle, as well.
2. Plan ahead for emergencies: There is a lot of additional coverage that you will be able to purchase. You should always plan ahead for emergencies. If not, you might lose much more than your money.
3. Cut your pharmacy costs: Ask your doctor if you can purchase medicine that is cheaper, but still effective. By asking, you might be able to find some sort of medication that will continue helping you, but for a lower cost.
4. Quit smoking: If you quit smoking, your health insurance company will have to worry less about you. By improving your health, you will be able to cut your health care costs significantly - quitting smoking is one of the best ways.
5. Exercise more: This is yet another way for you to get healthier. Exercise always has a positive effect on people. By doing so, and improving your health, you’ll cut your costs and your worries.
6. Lose Weight: Obesity can add to your health insurance costs. In fact, recent evaluations show that people who are obese can pay up to $395 dollars more per year. Lose weight and improve your health.
7. Negotiate with your doctor: Ask your doctor if there are any more ways to improve your health. Doing so, you will pay less for your health insurance.
8. Search for a subsidy: See if you qualify for a subsidy, which is a free or low-cost health insurance plan. In order to qualify for this, you will probably have to be either a low-income or disabled.
9. Raise your deductible/ co-payment: By doing so, you might be able to lower your payments significantly. For example, by raising your deductible to about $1,000, you will probably save 20 percent or more!
10. Look for free screenings, services, checkups: Take advantage of this. Search for community screenings, checkups and services.
11. Use tax breaks: Check for health insurance plans that will offer tax-breaks.
12. Coordinate your family’s health insurance plans: Try to maintain both plans or purchasing a multi-policy. Call your health insurer and ask about purchasing a “family policy”.
13. Play by the rules: Know all of your health insurance rules and follow them accordingly.