A large percentage of Americans have spent most of their lives covered by one health insurance plan or another.  So when we think about the rising cost of healthcare, we tend to assume that the job of combating it belongs to someone else. But that’s not true.
 
There are things all of us can do every day to cut the cost of our own healthcare, 5%, 10%, even 25% or more.  Not only do these proactive steps save us money right away, they often reduce the size and frequency of increases to our healthcare insurance premiums.  So we win coming and going. With healthcare costs on the rise, you may be looking for ways to lower your medical expenses. Here are 9 ways to immediately get more for your healthcare dollar:

1. Practice prevention. Start by doing something healthy every day: choose a salad for lunch, take an evening walk, or drink more water.  Cut back on your vices, be they calories, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, TV or the internet.  Have regular checkups, and take advantage of any wellness programs you may have available to you through your health insurance or employer.
2. Take advantage of free health screenings. If you currently don’t have health insurance, or if you have a high deductible, catastrophic medical plan, free health screenings are a great resource. Local clinics and hospitals often provide a variety of screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and mammograms.
3. Cut the cost of prescription drugs. Do this even if your prescriptions are covered by your health insurance.  By costing your health insurance company less, you become less costly to insure and your premiums will reflect this.  For example, always ask if your prescription can be filled by a generic drug. Also, try ordering prescriptions by mail through your pharmacy’s online service.  Often you can get a three month supply by mail at the same price as a single month from your local pharmacist.
4. Check your medical bills. We know they’re confusing to read, but if you take a few minutes to go over the charges you will find it time well spent. Comparing the charges to your health insurance company’s “Explanation of Benefits” statements is an even better exercise.  Fully 5% of the time you will find an error on one or the other often because of some data entry mistake — you’ll be charged for a service you never received or you’ll be mistakenly denied coverage.  When you find an error, pick up the phone and call that billing office at once.
5. Keep track of your medical expenses for tax purposes. If you itemize the deductions on your returns, and if your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you’ll have some handsome deductions come tax time. Allowable medical expenses include everything from healthcare services to medical aids, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids.
6. Contribute to a flexible spending account. If your employer offers a flexible spending plan, jump in. These plans allow you to put pretax dollars in an account that is used to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and co-payments. This means you are using your own pretax dollars to pay your medical bills.
7. Ask your healthcare provider for discounts. It doesn’t always work, but you’d be surprised how often it does. Health care providers offer various discounts to a variety of insurance groups and networks. Often they’re willing to extend discounts to customers who pay the same day they receive service.  But you have to ask for it.
8. Shop around for health insurance. Whether or not you have employer-sponsored health insurance, you should know what your options are.  Look to see if you get a better deal by joining your spouse’s plan.  Look online to see if obtaining your own coverage offers any advantages — especially if you’re young and your employer isn’t offering a Health Savings Account. Premiums vary widely, so be sure to get quotes from several companies through a licensed independent agent like InsureMeOnline.com. Evaluate each plan's coverage and features, including exclusions, limitations, and the ability to choose healthcare providers. Compare out-of-pocket expenditures like deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance.
9. Examine your health insurance policy thoroughly. Chances are you’re buying more with your health care premiums than you think. Insurance companies often provide a variety of wellness benefits, such as discounts on vitamins, alternative medicines, health club memberships, or bike helmets. You may also be surprised by the array of services it covers, for example, dental care for young children, chiropractic care, or even acupuncture.