Ways to reduce health care costs

Preventive care, preventive care, preventive care!

It’s hard to stress the importance of preventive care. But if you’re worried about your health care costs it’s the easiest way to potentially help lower your health care costs.

Get your annual physical exam.

The nurse and physician will check your blood pressure, height and weight, cholesterol, check to see if you are updated on your vaccines and test you for sexually transmitted diseases, if you so chose. The simple check-up will make sure you are in good overall health.

Practice self-exams, avoid reactive care.

If you notice a growth, lump, or just something that wasn’t there before and has not gone away over a period of time, get it checked out. Don’t wait six months, go now. Specialty doctors are more expensive than a family doctor, and some times a family doctor can diagnose the problem. However, if you need to be seen by a specialty doctor, the family doctor will be able to give you a recommendation.

Save the emergency room for emergencies.

If you have a cold, see if you can remedy it with soup, over-the-counter medicine and rest. Going immediately to the emergency room will undoubtedly be more expensive than a visit to your local pharmacy or primary care physician.

Take care of your body now.

A healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods and regular exercise could drive down your health care costs over time. You could save money on prescription drugs and frequent doctor visits because of ongoing illnesses caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.

Eating healthy and getting more exercise doesn’t mean joining an expensive gym or shopping at specialty food stores. You can make changes to your life today by starting small and working towards attainable goals. If you know you need to quit smoking, cut back first and make a gradual change before going cold turkey. Add a whole fruit or vegetable to your diet, and instead of a mixed drink have beer or wine. Buy foods in their natural state versus pre-packaged foods. Instead of elevators, take the stairs. Instead of letting your dog out in the backyard, take her for a walk. Spend time with your family at a park or even the mall instead of in front of your television.

A healthy lifestyle will not only help drive down your health care costs, but will most likely, make you happier.