Healthcare Discounts and Freebies

Medical expenses are enough to make you sick, averaging $8,086 per person in 2009, according to a recent report by the California Healthcare Foundation. That adds up to $2.5 trillion, about 17 percent of total spending in the US, with costs climbing upwards every year. Here are 10 ways to ease the financial pain:

1. Bypass the doctor’s office. A study by Rand Corporation found that retail clinics, such as MinuteClinic, TakeCare and MediMinute, offer the same quality of care for routine ailments, such as sore throat, ear infection or urinary tract infection, as other healthcare settings do, at substantially lower cost. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, found that care at a retail clinic averaged $110, versus $166 at a doctor’s office, $155 at an urgent care center, and $570 in the ER. Some health plans cover care at retail clinics.


2. Get free or discounted drugs. Partnership for Prescription Assistance connects uninsured low-income patients with drug company patient assistance programs that provide free or nearly free medications. Together Rx Access offers a 25 to 40 percent discount on hundreds of medications. To qualify, you must be under 65, with no Rx drug coverage, and an income under $45,000 if you’re single, or $60,000 for a couple.  

3. Slice your pills. Many high-dose Rx pills, from allergy drugs to antidepressants, have the same copayment as lower-dose versions. Ask your doctor if you can safely split a high-dose pill in half. (You can’t do so with controlled release medications.) Also ask for free samples of the medication, and check the manufacturer’s website for coupons or freebies. 

4. Join a discount dental plan. If you don’t have dental coverage, check out plans like AmeriPlan or Careington, in which thousands of participating dentists agree to give discounts of up to 60 percent. Monthly membership costs $12.95 to $19.95. Or look for a dental school clinic: Students treat patients (while supervised by experienced dentists) for reduced fees. Contact your state dental society to find a dental school clinic in your area. 

5. Consider a high-deductible health plan. A high-deductible (HD) health plan can save you hundreds of dollars a month in lower premiums. Annual deductibles are typically $1,100 or more for individuals and $2,200 for families. A HD plan can be coupled with a health savings account (HSA), where you can tuck away pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. Unused money also grows on a tax-deferred basis year after year. 

6. Sign up for a flexible spending account. If your employer offers this benefit, you can squirrel away pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Unlike HSAs, money in flexible spending accounts doesn’t roll over year to year; instead, this is a “use it or lose it” deal. You’ll need to estimate likely expenditures carefully. 


7. Look for free or low-cost health screenings.  Several medical groups hold free screening events to check for medical conditions. Legs for Life holds free screenings to check for peripheral arterial disease (clogged blood vessels in the legs that raise risk for heart attack and stoke).

8. Dicker with your doctor. If you’re short on cash, don’t be embarrassed to tell your healthcare provider. A Wall Street Journal/Harris poll found that only 12 percent those surveyed had tried to negotiate cost with their doctors, but of those who did, 61 percent got a discount. Also share your insurance plan’s list of covered drugs with the doctor, to get the best treatment at the lowest price. 

9. Buy discount eyeglasses online. Online retailers like 39DollarGlasses and EyeBuyDirect sell glasses for less than $50, compared to $150 or more at a traditional store. You’ll need your prescription (legally, your eye doctor is required to give it to you) and papillary distance (distance between the centers of your pupils) to ensure the right fit. Most online retailers offer instructions for measuring yourself and let you return the glasses if you’re not satisfied. 

10. Ditch your bad habits. Prevention pays: If you smoke, quitting greatly reduces your risk for chronic—and costly—illnesses. If you’re overweight, shedding as little as 5 to 7 percent of your body weight trims the threat of type 2 diabetes and heart attacks. Avoid tanning can help prevent skin cancer. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and reducing stress are the best medicines for both your health and your wallet.