How I Save Money On Medical Bills

Life is more expensive for everyone, and getting worse - here's what I do.

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Good morning dearest RDG community!

I’m incredibly nervous about the rising price of healthcare. Taking away the subsidies on the Affordable Care Act or ACA plans will definitely impact our family.

Normally, we’d already be working with our healthcare broker - combing over the marketplace options to decide what’s best for our family.

This year - there’s no discussion. Our broker says, with all the changes, we won’t be able to start the discussion til mid-October.

And we’re hearing employer-based healthcare in the states is increasingly expensive next year too.

With so many costs rising, I wanted to share with you all how we save money on healthcare as well as tactics I’ve learned along the way.

But first- a new WebMD video dropped as I discuss tactics to thriving with chronic illness. Spoiler alert- it does not involve toxic positivity:

As you all know, likely to my own detriment, I don’t gatekeep on my Substack - but I am going to give first access on this article to paid subscribers as a thank you for all their support. Especially in these financially uncertain times, their commitment to this work means so much.

I’m so grateful for them. Thank you for being the fuel that keeps this going and I’d very much like to save you money on medical bills! I hope this helps:

How I Save Money on Medical Bills.

PREMIUMS

First things first - I start with the medical plan.

Since Zach and I are freelancers, we use an insurance broker. She is vital in helping us know where to begin in the marketplace. She’s knowledgable in ways we aren’t and knows exactly where to start.

We don’t pay her. She is paid by the insurance companies. She helps us navigate, calculate, and decide on the best plan for our budget.

For our family, we get creative. We don’t automatically sign up for the family plan. Since we each require different levels of care, we split up. I need to keep my specialists and have an expensive care-plan. So, I choose an individual PPO. And Zach and my toddler are also on two different plans. Our three year old qualifies for free medical care, so her expenses cost us nothing. Thanks CA!

Not sure what will be in store next year, but I’m definitely praying subsidies continue.

CO-PAY PROGRAMS/COUPONS/FINANCIAL SUPPORT

I use varying resources to help with costs. For my drug, I apply to the financial copay assistance program through my pharmaceutical company. Most drug companies have programs or coupons to help make costs accessible. With my current insurance, my drug copay is over $8K - which would be devastating every 8 weeks. So this program is vital to our financial survival.

I also applied for the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) to help with my high premium costs. Resources like NORD and The Assistance Fund program are so vital for folks who need support for specific conditions.

MEDICAL NEGOTIATION

Many people skip this and shouldn’t. So much is negotiable. For example, one of my specialists didn’t take my insurance and we talked it through and worked out a plan that didn’t have me paying more than I would have with insurance.

I had one hospital bill completely wiped out just by asking for support. Most hospitals are non-profits and have financial assistance programs. You’d be shocked what you can get waived or discounted.

Call - don’t email - and be polite, but ask for what you need, like a payment plan, discounts, financial assistance or see if they have a cash option.

Check out these resources too I’ve heard about: Dollar For Charity Care for support and Healthcare Bluebook to see average medical costs so you are informed while negotiating.

FIGHT DENIED CLAIMS

Health insurance companies have a financial incentive to deny claims. Especially when only 1% of patients appeal. They save a lot of money nowadays using AI and sometimes it’s a simple straightforward appeal you’re likely to win.

I wrote previously here about how to appeal denials. Your odds at getting it overturned are incredibly high. They just bank on you not fighting back.

OTHER TIPS

When I had a PPO through my workplace and a W-2, I used my Flexible Spending Account (FSA) quite a bit. You get access to the full amount January 1, so I was able to get elective Lasik and then spend the year essentially paying it off with my paychecks.

Also, there are healthcare credit cards you can apply for if you need them. They often have introductory no-interest charge periods and can only be used for health expenses. I haven’t used them, but I know people who have.

We’ve found some items were more expensive if you buy them directly from the doctor’s office. For example, Zach needed a brace and we found one significantly cheaper elsewhere.

Online pharmacies may also be more affordable. Check out Cost Plus for options.

Do you have more tips too? Please, I’m all ears! Did this help? Let me know.

Comment of the Week

“Such great advice - bookmarking! I once had a doctor literally tell me that he wasn't going to tell me the name of what I had because he didn't want me googling it and finding specialists that he thought were nonsense. I was horrified, and I did not see that doctor again. Professionals who actually make eye contact, listen, and make adjustments to treatment based on the conversation are golden, and I wish more were taught this. And on the flip side, patients are even more rarely taught how to advocate for themselves, as you encourage in your writing.” Sarah

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If you’re new here and wondering, “what happened to this lady?” read:

I started writing this when I was on dialysis. It’s intended to be both memoir and a practical tool to help folks who might be going through something similar or those caregivers and family supporting someone with a challenging diagnosis. NOTE: This is not intended to replace actual medical guidance. Please consult your doctors on your individual challenges and situations. Please talk to your clinicians before adjusting any of your care protocols. Also names have been changed for most of my medical staff.

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Thank you to Katie McUpton, Dienna D’Olimpio Harada, CC Couchois, Roy Lenn, and Dr. Richard Burwick for your founding level donation.