Managing Your Healthcare Costs: Tips to Help Lower Your Financial Burden
Americans today have an astonishing $220 billion in medical debt with about 3 million people owing more than $10,000 each. From medical bills to prescription expenses, the financial burden of healthcare is impacting millions of people – causing them and their caregivers to feel overwhelmed and out of options. Luckily, there are options to tackle this financial burden. Here are just a few ways that could help alleviate the burden of healthcare costs for you or a loved one.
Understanding Your Coverage and Benefits
Whether you are in the midst of treatment or just seeking physician oversight for general wellness, it’s always best to understand your insurance coverage thoroughly to know what services are covered, the applicable deductibles and copays, and any limitations or exclusions. Knowing your insurance benefits can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and avoid unexpected expenses.
But with that said, understanding your coverage can feel daunting, especially when you require complex screenings or treatment. If you need additional guidance, talk to your provider or a care navigator, or call your insurance company directly to ask questions. Additionally, our case managers can also offer personalized support, helping you understand your insurance and healthcare options, and assist in finding financial assistance if needed. Plus, our free legal assistance program, called A.C.C.E.S.S, may be able to help with disability legal aid, Social Security Disability (SSDI) claims, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims for eligible conditions.
Explore Financial Assistance Programs
Patient assistance programs, like Accessia Health, offer financial support for co-pay reimbursement and eligible medical expenses, however, many hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceutical companies also offer financial assistance programs that provide discounts, payment plans, or even free services based on income level and medical needs. To help reduce medication costs specifically, websites like GoodRx and RxAssist sometimes offer discounts and coupons for prescription drugs, allowing you to access necessary medications at more affordable prices. You can also search for assistance programs, unique to your medications, through a simple online search. Always be sure to ask your provider or pharmacists if they are aware of any programs that you may be eligible for.
Cost Negotiating
Beyond financial assistance, one overlooked element of managing your healthcare expenses is to negotiate costs with your healthcare provider. In some cases, if you receive a medical bill that you cannot afford to pay in full, you may be able to negotiate the payment terms or even the total amount owed with the healthcare provider or facility. Fair Health provides a great step-by-step guide on how to negotiate healthcare costs with tips including how to shop around for care, how to use comparison tools, and what to do once the bill arrives.
Seek Out Community Organizations
When looking for assistance, never overlook the impact of community organizations. Community health clinics, whether free clinics or federally qualified centers, can provide low- or no-cost health services such as diagnostic testing, screening, and mental health services. Additionally, local assistance organizations, local government programs, or religious organizations can work in partnership with these clinics to help with daily living costs and expenses, provide transportation to medical appointments or grocery stores, and more. Your public health department should have a listing of clinics or health services in your area. FindHelp.com is a great online resource for finding opportunities in your area for assistance, including those beyond healthcare assistance.
Accessia Health Is Here to Help
Just as you are not alone in dealing with your health condition, you are also not alone when it comes to healthcare expenses and the strain it often causes on households. Accessia Health is committed to supporting individuals with rare or chronic health conditions – from case management to education, and financial support for health insurance premiums, medication copayments, travel, and other essential medical expenses.
We encourage you to reach out to learn more about how Accessia Health may be of assistance to you. You can apply for assistance, or, if a program is full, a waitlist option is available. You can check your eligibility and learn more here.