Mark Luigi Dacumos
Do This Now to Pay Less for Medicare Later
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a go-to plan for people who want additional perks like vision, dental, and hearing coverage. You may enjoy your Advantage plan, but its cost may be a bit too steep for your budget. If that’s the case, shop around for different Advantage plans until you find one that’s more affordable. You have the chance to do so each year between January 1 and March 31.
As for where to shop for your low-cost Part C plan, Walmart may be your best bet. They recently partnered with many Medicare Advantage providers. In doing so, they now have the power to offer cheap yet reliable plans that can give you that extra coverage you seek without breaking the bank. To find these plans, visit WalmartInsurance.com.
Visit the Drugstore Instead of Your Doctor
Scheduling an appointment with your doctor when you feel sick could be a thing of the past. Why? Because you can get the same level of care via drugstores without having to pay as much money.
Some of the most well-known drugstores like CVS and Walgreens are getting into the clinic business, and they’re promising to offer treatment for illnesses, diagnostic tests, and more at lower prices.
This is excellent news, as studies show that primary care visits have gotten a lot more expensive since 2002, and it looks like their costs will keep rising well into the future. As for details on where you can get such treatment, CVS expects to open 15,000 HealthHUBs before the end of 2021.
Within the next five years, Walgreens will open over 200 Village Medical clinics. And Walmart also promises clinics in dozens of states in 2021.
Beyond the lower prices, drugstore clinics may also offer more convenience, especially if your doctor is always busy. By having more options, you can get the medical attention you need without having to wait.
Shop Around Before Hitting the Hospital
Did you know that hospitals must now disclose whatever costs they’ve negotiated with insurance companies? It’s true, thanks to a new federal rule which offers pricing transparency to the public.
How can you use this new rule to your advantage? By shopping around before going to the hospital for treatment.
For instance, let’s say you need to get an MRI. Instead of walking into the first hospital you see, making a few calls to local hospital billing departments or visiting their websites can help you know who’s offering that MRI at the lowest price. This allows you to make the most cost-effective decision, which could save you hundreds of dollars or more if your insurance plan has a high deductible.
Use Amazon Prime for Meds
Are you an Amazon Prime member? Besides using the service for quick, free shipping and streaming video, use it to get low-cost prescriptions delivered to your door.
Pharmacy.Amazon.com is a new service from the online giant that offers such benefits as:
- A price comparison tool to see if it’s cheaper to get meds with your insurance or not.
- Free two-day shipping.
- Convenient prescription pickup at over 50,000 pharmacies.
