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Manage your health care costs

tips to help reduce the cost of your health care

Finding ways to save money — we do it every day. We compare prices on products. We choose stores that offer discounts. Did you know you may be able to save money on your health care costs too? It might be a surprise. But if you have a clear picture of your health plan benefits, you may be able to make choices that help reduce your health care costs.
1. Choose Network Providers

When doctors and facilities are contracted with Samera Health, it means they’ve agreed to provide services at a discount. So, when you choose their services, your costs will be lower. Providers who are not in your health plan network could charge more. That means their services could cost you more or may not be covered at all.

2. Get in the habit of regular preventive care
Time for a doctor checkup? It’s easy to miss one here and there. But it pays off if you stay in sync with your doctor on a regular basis. It may help detect issues early when health conditions are typically more treatable.  Preventive care includes any of your annual checkups and screenings. You can prepare ahead for your preventive visits and get a list of screenings you might need.
3. Choose where to get care - with care

When you need to go to the doctor, choosing the right level of care can help you save — and may help ensure you’ll get the quality care you need. You might wonder why. It’s because some locations may charge more for the same services. When your doctor recommends a test or procedure, you may pay less when you visit one clinic type over another.

How to choose quality care that may help you save
When you need care, call your primary care provider or family doctor first. Your doctor has access to your records, usually knows the most about your health and may offer same-day appointments. Here are some other ways you may save:
  • Know your care options. When seeing your regular doctor is not possible, reviewing your choices before you get care may help you avoid unexpected costs. For example, for non-emergency care, you could consider going to an urgent care center, convenience care clinic or set up an online doctor visit. When you know your care options, it may help you save both time and money compared to an ER visit.
  • Try a virtual visit. With a virtual visit — or telehealth services — you can talk with a doctor online using your mobile device or computer. Virtual Visits are urgent care visits that are available anytime, day or night, and covered by most health plans.
4. Understand key health Insurance cost terms
Premium
A premium is the amount an individual or employer pays each month for your health insurance or plan.
Deductible
A deductible is the amount of health costs you are responsible for before the health plan starts sharing costs.
Copay
A copay is the fixed amount you pay each time you see a network provider.
Coinsurance
The amount shared by you and your health plan for health costs, calculated as a percentage.
Out-of-pocket Maximum
An out of pocket limit is the total amount of health costs you are responsible for before your plan pays 100% of covered health costs for the remainder of the plan year.