I often hear from prospective clients, many who just bought online without the advice of a broker, that they did not know how their plan was going to pay until they used it. Often, they have used their plan in a fashion detrimental to their own best interests. So, I want to write this to inform you of some tips for best utilization and pre-emptive planning to reduce costs, aggravation and time when accessing care.

Please share this with your Employees and their loved ones.

Prescription Drug Cost- These are one of the top drivers of cost on a Health plan. Prescriptions are ungodly expensive. Doctors are coddled by the Drug companies to push their new brand drugs often before thorough studies are done to prove favorable outcomes. TIP: Be involved in your care. Ask for generic equivalents. Most plans have a Brand name deductible, so your co-pay will not kick in for the first month’s supply, and probably much longer depending on the plan. So, you end up paying for that medicine to get well. If you get generic, you have two choices. First, you can take your card to the pharmacy and as long as it has Generic coverage, you will simply make the co-pay. Second, go to Walgreens, Walmart, or Costco. Sorry to support the big boxes here, but they have lists of over 500 medications they sell for $4 per month/ $10 for 3 month supply. Hint: Do not show them your insurance card. They will have to charge you the copay of $10-$20.

Urgent Care over Emergency Room-Many people do not plan ahead, thus an accidental injury, or minor illness becomes an emergency. Emergency Rooms are NOT the best place to go for some broken bones and cuts requiring stitches. It is just that since we do not plan ahead, we don’t know where else to go, thus it becomes and Emergency to us. Emergency Rooms prioritize there services based upon need. Emergency Rooms serve those who come in by Ambulance. So, if you drove there, you automatically have lower priority. TIP: Plan ahead…right now, pull out your card and see who you are covered by and go to their website. Look up an Urgent Care Facility near your work and home. Become familiar with both and think of going there first. Emergency Rooms on Individual plans fall under the deductible, so you will be responsible for the whole cost up to your deductible. Group plans cover this better, but there is still the wait time. An Urgent Care facility can treat you faster and with lower costs. Become familiar with them, so when/if something happens, you can consider this faster and less expensive alternative.

I hope these tips will help you.