Tips, tricks and resources to help you save money on health care services

A recent article in RNcentral.com provides 25 tips on how consumers can save money on health care services – even if you do not have health insurance.  Here is a brief summary, but be sure to checkout the entire article for additional information and helpful resources. 

Medical Care

• Take advantage of walk-in clinics
• Consider alternative therapies 
• Try using a nurse practitioners instead of a doctor
• Research medical tourism
• Check out a health fair for free routine screenings
• Volunteer for medical school clinics
• Use phone medical services for less complicated issues
• Avoid the weekend
• Review your bill for errors
• Negotiate your bill

Prescriptions and Equipment

• Shop around and compare prescription prices using resources like Consumer Reports, the AARP or the Medicare Rights Center
• Buy store brands for over the counter medications
• Request generic prescriptions
• See if you qualify for freebies 
• Double up on medication
• Cut your medications in half 
• Get creative. Work with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you can't find a lower cost solution to your prescription drug costs
• Reuse and recycle. Friends, neighbors or even a church group may have equipment that can suit your needs at a greatly reduced cost 
• Shop for frames at retail stores or large chains instead of the eye doctor’s office