Authors Martin B. Rosen and Dr. Abbie Leibowitz have a wide circle of potential readers for their book, "The Healthcare Survival Guide," which on its cover purports to have cost-saving tips for the suddenly unemployed - and anyone else who wants to save money.
While some might be skeptical of "expert" advice about saving money on health care, the authors' credibility is tied to their roles as co-founders of Health Advocate Inc., a Philadelphia-based company founded in 2001. The company isn't affiliated with any insurance or third-party provider, and it provides time- and money-saving advocacy and assistance to millions of Americans and thousands of corporate clients.
In addition to having relatively few pages, this book is full of pullouts and checklists, but several pages only have one or two paragraphs of text.
Still, there is plenty of useful information for those who want to take a more active role in managing their health care costs.
The chapter on COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, is aimed at the suddenly unemployed. The program provides temporary health insurance to employees who lose their jobs, and the authors touch on eligibility as well as recent enhancements brought about by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Not just a price check
Whether shopping for a week's supply of groceries or a new car, it's not uncommon for consumers to shop around for the best price. When the product in question is private health coverage, however, the authors maintain that it's important to look beyond the premiums. The authors look at different types of plans and note which might be best for some patients, and they give some key guidelines that can help regardless of the type of coverage.
These guidelines include being clear about what a plan covers - or doesn't. Sometimes, lower premiums mean higher deductibles and copayments, so those should be examined, as should lifetime limits for some services and any riders that may be required for some types of coverage, such as maternity.
The book gives some insight into industry lingo and defines coinsurance, and it also notes a special consideration for those with diabetes. Diabetics are likely to have medical expenses that are twice as high compared to nondiabetics, so the authors reiterate the importance of comparison shopping for that patient group.
Finagle doctors' fees
When an office visit is just what the doctor orders, Rosen and Leibowitz have some advice about how patients can save money on providers' fees. Once again, comparison shopping is in order, as procedure fees can vary widely.
Sometimes, patients with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or arthritis are referred to specialists, which generally are more expensive than primary care physicians. The authors encourage asking if those providers can take over maintenance care for chronic ailments. Other fee-cutting options are participating in clinical trials, seeking care at teaching hospitals and accessing mental health services through mental health agencies or in a pastoral setting. Interestingly, the book also notes that it's OK to simply ask for a discount on doctors' fees. In fact, they found that 61 percent of the adults who report asking for the price cuts got them.
Medical bills and responsibility
Medical procedures, and particularly hospital stays, can bring on a flurry of bills and statements from facilities and providers. Rather than shoving these into a shoe box or otherwise ignoring them, it's important to keep a close eye on them. Compare them to Explanation of Benefits statements from the insurance company, and be on the lookout for common errors such as duplicate billing.
Near the end of the book is a chapter that could have been moved up. "Take Charge of Your Health" digs into the role that personal choices can play in cutting costs, from quitting smoking to losing weight to regular preventive screenings. And the authors have some pointers on inexpensive screenings, too. There's not a lot of new ground here - alcohol in moderation, lower stress and using food journals to track eating habits - but this chapter serves as an important reminder that one of the best ways to save on health care is to make smarter lifestyle choices.Though many insurance plans provide savings on prescription drugs and many retailers and drugstore chains have savings plan of their own, I was intrigued by the chapter, "Best Ways to Get Drugs at a Discount (Or Free!)," which offers these tips:
• Get free samples;
• Shop around and scour Web sites;
• Ask for over-the-counter substitutions; and
• Check out volunteer or community-based partnerships for cheaper medication.
Again, there are online resources that may be helpful, including www.rxassist.org and www.needymeds.org.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
