pulse checkPay What?Twelve years ago, newly pregnant in Ireland with my daughter, I needed an ultrasound. When I told the doctor I didn’t have insurance, she winced. “It’ll be expensive,” she warned. The damage? $75. Back in the US, that number may pay for a few hospital-administered painkillers. It’s one reason more Americans are considering medical tourism, where the same procedure may cost a fraction of the US price when abroad. If a full workup isn’t in your next vacation plan, here are three ways to make your healthcare dollars go further. Appeal, appeal, appeal. This searing essay from a woman whose cancer treatment was initially denied shows what a difference persistence can make. According to one policy-research group, HealthCare.gov consumers in 2021 appealed less than 0.2% of denied, in-network claims. Now, new data shows a person fighting the claim can often win. Ask for a patient advocate and get someone on the phone. Shop for care. If you have a high deductible or limited coverage, call a few nearby providers. For example, the same imaging test can have very different prices, even within your insurance network. Some offices also offer 0% payment plans .. but read the fine print for loan terms. Negotiate directly with the provider. There may well be no “set” price for services. If you have a large portion of the bill that’s not covered by insurance, call and negotiate. And if you hear “no,” ask to speak to a supervisor. Here’s the script one woman used to save $800 over the course of a year.
— Anna “Researching Dentists in Costa Rica” Davies, writer
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