The following post is by MPFJ staff writer, Laurie Blank. Laurie is a wife, mother to 4 and homesteader who blogs about personal finance, self-sufficiency and life in general over at The Frugal Farmer. Part witty, part introspective and part silly, her goal in blogging is to help others find their way to financial freedom and to a simpler, more peaceful life.
With out-of-pocket medical costs continually on the rise, individuals and families need to be more aware than ever before of where the leaks are in their medical expenses. According to this 2015 Forbes article, the average family of four spent $24.671 on medical costs, with $14,198 being paid by the employer and $10,473 being paid by the employee.
This number includes both premium costs for health care plans and out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and prescription costs.
So how can you cut costs on medical care in a way that won’t put your health at risk or break your bank account? Here are some tips.
Choose the Plan that’s Right for You
It’s important when studying your available health care plan options that you read the fine print carefully. Depending on your current health situation and the amount of time and money you spend at the doctor and on prescriptions, etc., different plans may or may not be beneficial to you.
When choosing a health care plan, be sure to read every detail of the plan’s coverage and costs and match those benefits with the amount of time you spend at the doctor, choosing a plan that best suits your current medical needs and/or the medical needs of your family.
Practice Good Self Care
This is vitally important for those wishing to keep medical costs low. Many of today’s health maladies are a direct result of a poor diet, a high stress level and a lack of exercise. There are things you can do to avoid those health maladies. Here are some suggestions.
Eat Better
Hollywood stars such as Michael Strahan of Good Morning America recommend the 80/20 diet: Eighty percent whole foods, twenty percent junk food. I like his plan because although it does involve discipline and healthy food choices, it also leaves room for those temptations that come along with social gatherings and stressful days.
By choosing to eat well, you create an optimal environment for your body to defend itself from sickness and disease.
Get and Stay Active
Exercise helps your body to get rid of disease-producing toxins, to ward off sickness, to sleep better and to lower your stress level.
A good exercise program doesn’t have to mean running marathons or spending thousands annually on a gym membership. A simple 30-minute walk four times a week will do wonders for your health, as well a calisthenics program, a simple weight lifting routine and/or an at-home exercise video DVD.
After you get your doctor’s approval to begin an exercise program, pick a type of exercise that you enjoy, and make a commitment to be active several times a week. When it comes to exercise, every little bit helps you to have a healthier body that requires less trips to the doctor.
Keep Vices to a Minimum
Over-indulgence of alcohol and tobacco account for many health problems today. While a daily glass of wine has been shown in studies to improve health, more than that can have adverse effects. Keep alcohol and tobacco use in check, and if you feel it’s gotten out of hand, seek help.
Lower Your Stress Level
While eating well and exercising will naturally lower your stress level, it may be necessary to identify and eliminate other stress-inducing situations in your life as well. If your job is highly stressful, it may be a good idea to seek a different job or career field. If you’re struggling with toxic relationships, it may be time to seek professional help from a psychologist or counselor.
Studies indicate that stress accounts for up to eighty-five percent of illnesses, so you’d be doing your body good by reducing the stressors in your life.
Save for Health Care Costs
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and other types of saving vehicles can help you offset some health care expenses. Because some plans are tax-deductible, you lower your taxable income by utilizing an HSA or other healthcare savings plan. Also, using an automatic health care savings deduction plan through your employer can help you to make sure you’re setting aside some cash to cover upcoming health care expenses each year.
Re-Think Your Doctor Visits
While it’s vitally important to visit your doctor if you’re concerned about your health, research shows that nearly seventy percent of all doctor visits are unnecessary. Before you make that doctor’s appointment, call your doctor’s nurse line and ask if a visit to the doctor is necessary.
With a little research, effort and planning, you can reduce health care costs and give yourself the gift of better health as well.
How about you all? What are your tips for keeping health care costs low? How do you budget for health care expenses?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Photo courtesy https://pixabay.com/en/money-bills-calculator-save-256312/
