Comments on: Tightwad Tuesday: Save Money on Medical Expenses

By: * How To Save Money – The 1,001 List Of Money Saving Tips And Ideas

* How To Save Money – The 1,001 List Of Money Saving Tips And Ideas — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:05:54 +0000

[...] 3 Big Ways To Save Money On Medical Expenses – Being Frugal [...]

By: The Big List: 1,019 Different Ways To Save Money. | My Two Dollars

The Big List: 1,019 Different Ways To Save Money. | My Two Dollars — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:01:08 +0000

[...] 25 Ways To Save Money On Health Care 3 Big Ways To Save Money On Medical Expenses [...]

By: Green Panda Treehouse | | Weekly Round-Up: Learning About Money Edition

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:16:09 +0000

[...] Save Money on Medical Expenses [...]

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:41:45 +0000

I just found out that our county has a “school based health clinic.” I really didn’t know what that meant but after a little asking around, I found out that my kids can go there for free even though we have health insurance. Wow! How cool to see a nurse practioner instead of driving 30 min and paying a copay for 4 children.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:03:42 +0000

It is possible to get individual insurance with a pre-existing condition… but you really need to shop around. I have mild asthma and was rejected by a few insurance companies before I found one that worked for our budget. It doesn’t cost anything to request a quote, and even if you are accepted you have 30 days to cancel the policy.

Never lie about your health: If you don’t disclose a problem, they can reject your insurance at a later time and leave you with the bill.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:52:28 +0000

I work in public health at the state department of health and have a master’s of public health in epidemiology.

Primary prevention is the key. Get an annual checkup, including cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

For women, do not skip your ob/gyn checkups.

Exercise, eat moderately, and sleep well.

Do NOT smoke! DO NOT SMOKE!

Do not drink alcohol if at all possible, especially if you are a female of childbearing age who could become pregnant. If you do drink, drink responsibly.

Read your medication labels and keep medications away from kids. Don’t ever tell kids it’s candy.

Take care when exercising- use a bike helmet, stretch before working out, and remember personal safety as well (take a cell phone, use a lighted path).

Mental health is as important as physical health.

Get your vaccinations. A flu shot / flu mist is so much less expensive than being down for two weeks with influenza.

Get your children vaccinated. And get their booster shots on time. A child with chickenpox will be sick and out of school/daycare for two weeks, requiring a parent to be home with them. If the parent doesn’t get paid time off, that’s very expensive. No study to date has found any like to autism and vaccinations. We need the vast majority (95% and higher) to be vaccinated in order for “herd immunity” to work and protect everyone.

Remember that an adult who gets pertussis or chickenpox can infect children, especially babies too young to receive certain vaccines. So adults need boosters too!

By: Ron@TheWisdomJournal

Ron@TheWisdomJournal — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:21:10 +0000

I would add that many states have programs to insure children who have no health insurance. That might be a good thing to check in to as well.

By: Jennifer B.

Jennifer B. — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:07:55 +0000

If you have one, check and see if your local medical school has a clinic. These are typically low-cost to free, to give the medical students an opportunity to practice, and this works in a variety of areas (think also physician’s assistant programs, dental programs, chiropractic programs… you get the idea). And I’d add the caveat to be careful with your medical care if you’re uninsured– you don’t want to get diagnosed with a pre-existing condition!

By: ABCs of Investing

ABCs of Investing — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:07:51 +0000

I couldn’t agree more on your last point – improving your diet/weight and exercise regiment will certainly increase the odds of staying healthy – especially when you are older.

My Dad is 69 and he has some lifestyle related illnesses (diabetes) – I’m sure he would give anything to go back in time and lose some weight.

By: jan

jan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:05:13 +0000

Hi Lynnae,
What a great blog! I happened upon you through Wise Bread. I have read several entries and enjoyed your perspective. God will provide and some things are more important than money.
Don’t fret over the time it takes to settle in to your new home.
Jan