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Lowering Your Health Care Costs

Table of Contents


Overview

Getting great care at a lower price is possible. Just like when you shop for food or clothes, there are things you can do to lower your health care costs.

Save by taking charge of your health

Here are some things you can do to take charge of your health and lower your health care costs.

Save on medicines

There are many things you can do to save money on your medicines.

Save on medical tests

There are many things you can do to save money on your medical tests.

Save the emergency room for emergencies

If you think you are having a medical emergency, go to the ER. If you're not sure, you can call your doctor's office first or go to a walk-in clinic.

Many health problems are not emergencies. Your visit will cost a lot more in time and money in the ER than it would at a doctor's office or walk-in clinic. A trip to the ER for an earache, for example, may cost 3 to 4 times as much as it would at your doctor's office. If it turns out you are having a true medical emergency, a walk-in clinic will send you to the ER.


Credits for Lowering Your Health Care Costs

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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