Except for not having health insurance, it is down to the fact they do not know the system. Uninsured patients don’t know that everybody else is getting a discount. From Medicare to Medicaid, from HMOs to PPOs, each group is getting a reduction excepting the uninsured. Discounts are given so as to generate more business.

To the uninsured this doesn’t seem reasonable. But it’s actually possible to pay less when you see Pittsburgh doctors, Raleigh doctors and even Riverside doctors.

Here are 5 proven tips to economize on office visits :

One. Speak up. It’s improbable your physician is keeping an eye on your financial situation. You’re the one to make your doctor aware that you lack medical insurance. Ask the doctor ( or nurse, or receptionist, or patient accounts dep. ) if a reduction is available for uninsured patients. Ask if they’ll accept less. If your GP agrees, make sure to keep your part of the contract. ( And remember to say thanks. )

2. Ask for a billing discount. It costs money and time to generate a once a month bill. If you pay at the time of your visit, it is acceptable to ask for a billing discount. Even though it’s only $5, that’s's enough for a meal.

3. Spend your cash wisely. Convince your physician you are handling your cash responsibly, then ask for an one off discount until your finances are back in shape. Develop a practice of paying for prerequisites before luxuriating in luxuries. If you cannot afford to take care of yourself ( as in paying the doctor ), are you able to afford to buy tobacco or alcohol or lottery tickets? Is it reasonable to request a discount as you spent $300 on your pet? ( This does occur, more frequently than you may think. ) Doctors need to help patients who help themselves, so begin by playing your part.

4. Ask for a reduction on lab tests. The retail “mark-up ” on lab tests is significant. Just as fast-food chains have a higher profit margin on soft drinks than hamburgers, so too, medical practices often make more on lab testing than on consultant services. The good news is this permits room for discounts . But it is’s improbable that a discount will be mechanically offered – again, you’ll need to talk up.

5. Organize your thoughts and goals beforehand. Often patients don’t understand that doctors charge for their time. A long office visit is more expensive than a short one. Don’t attempt to “get your money’s worth ” by dredging up each problem you can think of – it may actually backfire. Ask the receptionist what the price is for office visits of varying lengths, then plan accordingly . Mention to your doctor at the start of your appointment that you’d like to limit your expense by improving your time with him or her.

It still astonishes me how most people don’t think of methods to rein in their medical bills. Your wellbeing is important, but you can certainly reduce the costs of going to the doctor without too much effort. If you do this over the period of one or two years then you might save thousands of greenbacks.

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Health and Fitness