Your healthcare is something that’s important, but it’s also a source of stress for the majority of people in America. With healthcare costs on the rise with no sign of slowing down, how can you make your healthcare fit into your budget? While lowering the costs of healthcare plans may be out of your control, there are some steps you can take to make your personal healthcare more affordable. 

Check Before Re-Enrolling 

Most healthcare plans have the option for automatic renewal each year. While this may seem like a convenient way to continue your coverage, it could be costing you! Instead of renewing your same plan each year, take the time to look at the new plans or make changes to your current plan if you need to update important information like rather you’re a smoker or non-smoker. Newer plans may come with incentives to sign up that lower your costs. If you look at your options and decide to renew your current plan that’s fine, but at least you checked! 

Look at More Than Premiums 

Don’t just look at the monthly premium amount to see what fits in your budget. In addition to the premium, you should consider deductible costs, copayments, and any extra available on the healthcare plan. Deductibles are the amount that you’ll end up paying when you’re faced with a big medical bill. Copayments affect you each time you got to the doctor, urgent care, or emergency room. Although it may be enticing to pick the plan with the lower premium, you’ll regret it when you receive a medical bill that’s bigger than you can afford. 

Stop Going to the Emergency Room

In the event of an emergency, of course the emergency room is the place to go. However, in the event of a situation that isn’t life-threatening, visiting the emergency room just means long wait times and high medical bills. For preventative care, vaccinations, stitches, muscle strains, viruses, and much more, visit your local urgent care center!

Urgent care centers are designed to solve the problem of high medical costs in America. With lower co-payments and lower costs for the same medical care, it’s a no-brainer to stop going to the emergency room when you don’t have to.

If you have any questions about medical bills you receive, don’t be afraid to ask! Call the healthcare provider and your insurance provider to discuss the bill in detail and determine if there’s any way it could be lowered.