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(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 08, 2009 ) Detroit, MI - Consumers are spending more “out-of-pocket” on their health care than ever before. Trends such as high-deductibles, co-insurance, and sharing in the premium cost of your employer-provided health plan all are causing consumers to be more careful and responsible for their health care.
Barbara OÂ’Connell, chief operating officer of the free health care information Website, WhereToFindCare.com, offers these tips for controlling the cost of your health care:
1. Question everything. Ask why those tests, screenings and medications your doctor orders are necessary and whether lower-cost alternatives are appropriate. Then, check with your health plan to make sure they will cover it. Sometimes a standard X-ray is just as effective as an MRI or CT scan, and some health plans require additional information from the doctor before they will cover a more expensive version of a diagnostic test.
2. Get or keep your primary care doctor, and get that annual physical. ItÂ’s the best way to stay on top of your health and prevent health issues from becoming larger problems. If you have a chronic condition, such as asthma or high blood pressure, regular check-ups with your doctor can keep things under control.
3. ItÂ’s OK to discuss and compare costs. If you are having trouble affording your co-pays or co-insurance, don't be afraid to talk with your doctors about payment arrangements. Often, they will work out a monthly payment schedule with you. You may also consider comparing doctor costs or using a free clinic. You can locate physicians and free clinics near you at WhereToFindCare.com.
4. If you need to see a doctor after office hours, use an urgent care or walk-in clinic instead of the emergency room. Studies have shown that 40-60% of all ER visits are non-urgent. As long as your condition is not life-threatening, urgent care centers are a less expensive and faster alternative. Find one near you at WhereToFindCare.com.
5. Take your medications. Your doctor has prescribed medication to treat, monitor or control a health condition. When taken properly, you will most likely keep your condition under control. If you can't afford your medications, many drug companies, free clinics, pharmacies and community organizations have programs to pay for or subsidize costs for people in need. Also, your doctor may know of programs that can help you.
6. If you have insurance, understand it thoroughly. Know your coverage and deductibles and understand its limits, such as use of generics, preventative care benefits and healthy lifestyle incentives. Stay within your policy limits and maximize the coverage you do have.
7. Take advantage of Health Savings Accounts, or flexible spending accounts. If you have ongoing medical expenses, these accounts can save you money by allowing you to avoid paying income taxes on dollars spent on qualified health expenses.
8. Maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent or control diseases. That means eat well, exercise and get enough sleep. This benefits your health and your wallet.
9. If you have no insurance and canÂ’t afford health care, go to WhereToFindCare.com to find free clinics and to learn about other options.
“We offer consumers a simple way to find and compare the best health options for them,” says Barbara O’Connell, chief operating officer of WhereToFindCare.com. “To make the site more robust and user-friendly, we ask users to share their experiences with health providers. We add that detail into our customized rating system, so we incorporate the voice of the consumer.”
WhereToFindCare.com is a Michigan company created and managed by two health care experts, Barbara OÂ’Connell and Dawn Hall. The site is free to use and to contribute and share your health care experiences. For more information, go to www.wheretofindcare.com.
WhereToFindCare.com LLC
Barbara OConnell
313-231-5399
info@wheretofindcare.com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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