Save Money at Doctor’s Appointments by Keeping Track of Your Appointments
Even with insurance, seeing a doctor can be costly. If you are trying to lower your medical bill, make sure your doctor has all the necessary medical records. This way you avoid unnecessary medical tests.
Doctors are rightfully careful when it comes to medical tests. If they don’t have the information they need at hand, they’ll check it. They can be costly, especially if you don’t need them. Personal finance blog Money Ning explains how they almost paid $ 500 to check if a family member had already received a measles shot:
The doctor told her that a blood test could be done to determine if she had been vaccinated. Before starting the test, she looked at how much it would cost and if insurance would be covered. It turned out that the test would cost us about $ 500, and since we switched to a high deductible medical plan with a health savings account this year, that cost will be included in our deductible. This means that $ 500 will fall out of our pocket.
If the doctors had her medical records, there would be no need for additional examination. Notably, the author’s wife eventually got the vaccine again anyway, as the CDC recommends getting vaccinated if you’re unsure. So the test would be redundant anyway. While you should never avoid treating health problems because you are worried about cost, it is worth asking questions before paying for tests that you may not need if your records are up to date.
Do you really need this medical test? Here’s How To Save Money | Ning’s money