When you make a big-ticket purchase such as a television, appliance or computer, you likely shop around online to make sure you're getting the best deal. Did you know you can do the same thing with health care services?
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably taken on more of the responsibility of paying for health care costs in recent years. What if we told you getting an MRI at a hospital is roughly two and a half times more costly than going to a stand-alone imaging center?
You would want to know this so you could make the most appropriate choice for yourself, not only to maintain good health, but to keep your health care costs as affordable as possible.
How do I know how much a doctor's visit will cost?
Here’s how you can know the true costs of a doctor’s visit, test or exam before you go:
When your doctor refers you to a specialist or tells you to get a test, ask for the specific name of the procedure or service you’re going to have, including the medical billing code.
Next, shop around. Call several health care providers and tell them the procedure you need and the insurance coverage you have. They can tell you if they’re an in-network provider, and they should be able to provide an estimate of what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Some hospitals and doctors list prices right on their websites.
Finally, make a decision about your care based on the price and provider that best fit your needs.
If you’re a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PPO plan member, you can also use our Find a Doctor feature at bcbsm.com and selecting “Find Care” to compare prices when you’re logged in.
The tool allows you to estimate what the cost will be for a doctor’s visit, test, surgery and other procedures before you step foot in the doctor’s office. You’ll find costs for more than 400 health care services, allowing you to compare costs by different facilities and doctors nationally.
Doing your homework up front has the potential to save you thousands of dollars for just a little extra time. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask your health care provider questions and and request that all providers participating in your care be in your network, so you can avoid any surprise charges on your bill. (Just going to an in-network facility doesn’t guarantee that all the medical personnel you’ll come in contact with will be in your network.)
Make sure to also double check your coverage information online to determine the percentage of charges you’ll be responsible for, including any deductibles or co-payment amounts. You can log into your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan member portal to find this information, as well as your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
The importance of preventive care and other cost-cutting measures
Understanding your health care choices in general can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your health and your wallet is to focus on preventive care.
Preventive care saves lives. includes many strategies, actions and habits that contribute to your well-being, including:
- Health screenings and vaccinations
- Routine check-ups and annual physical exams
- Lifestyle modifications to include a balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management and good sleep hygiene.
- Knowledge of family health history
A personalized preventive care plan with your primary care provider (PCP)
Regular checkups, the right screenings and a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent or detect life-threatening chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Blue Cross and Blue Care Network pay for some preventive care with little or no out-of-pocket costs to you when you choose in-network care. Click here for a list of preventive care exams that may be covered by your health insurance plan.
Additionally, through initiatives like Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), Blue Cross is making it easier for people to get the right care at the right time — before conditions worsen.
Patient-centered care is health care that provides care based on an individual’s preferences, needs and values. It involves the active participation of patients in the planning and delivery of their care and is designed to ensure their values are represented in clinical decisions. This type of care helps patients stay on top of chronic conditions, better manage their health and improve their lives by reducing emergency room visits and expensive hospitalizations.
To find a PCMH physician, go to the Find Care page on bcbsm.com. Under “Find a Doctor”, choose “Advanced Search” and select “Patient-Centered Medical Home” in the quality filter.
You ultimately drive your own health care decisions. Talk to your PCP about the most cost-effective, high-quality ways to receive treatments, lab tests and other services. By comparing costs of services ahead of time and assessing what’s covered by your plan, you can make an informed decision and save money, thus keeping health care affordable for all.
Learn more about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's commitment to affordability here.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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