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Did You Know It's Possible to Negotiate Your Medical Bills?
A recent survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center study found that only 31 percent of Americans have tried to negotiate the price of medical bills. But of those who tried, 93 percent have been successful at least once, and more than a third saved over $100. All you have to do is ask!

If possible, it's usually easier to talk with your doctor before any procedure. Many times the doctor will work with you directly or change the "coding" on your bill so you are charged less. If you have already received your bill and didn't get to talk with the doctor beforehand then it usually helps to speak with the office manager or a financial counselor in the billing department. Discuss your financial situation and the majority of the time they are willing to work with you to set up a low monthly payment plan or reduce the price of your bill. If the first person you talk with doesn't help you then ask to speak to a supervisor.

Offer Cash Payments
 This could be a mutually beneficially solution for both you and the medical establishment. "Paying cash is worth a lot to a doctor in terms of time and trouble, and it is a lot less complex for the hospital to deal with," as it saves hospitals the trouble of negotiating financing terms, paying credit card transaction fees, and sending collection agencies after patients who fail to pay, says Shankar Srinivasan, co-founder and chief technology officer of Vimo.com, a company that uses public records to figure out what prices insurers negotiate with hospitals.

Visit a Lower Cost Clinic
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services there are more than 7,000 community health centers all over the country. These centers can offer immunizations (many times free) and regular checkups and sick visits. They will also treat you if you don't have medical insurance. If you don't have insurance, you may have to pay for your care on a sliding scale based on your income.

Sign up For Free Screenings and Tests When Possible
Many hospitals, clinincs, drugstore chains, supermarkets and churches will offer free health screenings periodically throughout the year. Be sure to discuss results with your doctor afterwards.

Double-check the Bill & Your Insurance Coverage
Educate yourself about what your insurance should cover and try to negotiate a discount off the sticker price. "As a consumer, just like a detective, you have to really understand the specifics of your insurance benefit plan, take the initiative of setting up conference calls [including yourself, the hospital, and your insurance company] proactively, and you have to document everything," says Luthra, who is chief operating officer of the health care consulting company Benu Inc. "You don't just pay the bill as is."

You also should scrutinize your bill because medical establishments and insurance companies are notorious for making mistakes processing your claims. Always request an itemized bill from the doctor's office or hospital. "I had a client once who was charged for a surgery she never had," said Nora Johnson, vice president of Medical Billing Advocates of America in Caldwell, West Virginia. "Another one was charged more than $5,000 for disposable gloves." Don't let this happen to you. Always ask for an itemized bill!

Financial Assistance if You Need It
 There are a large amount of organizations that help people financially strapped with medical debt, but you have to seek them out. The Patient Advocate Foundation has a state-by-state directory of financial resources. The foundation also has a program for "co-pay relief" (if your co-pay is, say, 20 percent, 20 percent of a $200,000 hospital bill is a lot of money). You may find that many financial assistance programs are for one specific illness, so you may have to spend some time searching the Internet to find a program applicable to you.

Save on Prescriptions
 If there is a generic equivalent to the brand-name drug you are taking talk to your doctor to see if it's possible to change to the generic version. They're just as effective as brand-name drug and they will cost you a lot less. If you're taking advantage of Medicare's prescription drug program, make sure the generic versions of the drugs you need are covered by the plan.

You can also save by breaking your pills in half. Ask the doctor if this is okay and he/she can write a prescription for double your dose. You save a lot this way whether or not you have a co-pay.

Contribute to a Health Savings Account
If you're enrolled in a high deductible health plan, you can set up a health savings account. If your employer has set up a fringe benefits program, you'll be able to deposit money into the account before taxes are taken out — so it's like getting a larger paycheck. If your employer doesn't have a fringe benefits program, you can get reimbursed for your deposits at tax time. You can use the money in your health savings account to pay for everything from cold medicine to your health plan's deductible. It's a great way to save on your out-of-pocket health care costs.

Ask Your Doctor if You Can Change the Frequency of Your Visits
 Discuss this option with your doctor to be sure you can safely cut down on your visits. This option will usually work best if you have a chronic condition that is stable and doesn't require a lot of medication.

Keep Track of Your Medical Expenses
 Every year when tax time rolls around, you can deduct the majority of your medical expenses if you file an itemized return. Save all your receipts you have spent on your medical expenses throughout the year! You can write off hearing aids, contacts, and eyeglasses, regular health care services, prescriptions and in some cases your insurance premiums. Keep careful records and if you have questions talk to a qualified tax professional at tax time. You'll be amazed at how much you may be able to get back on your return.

Practice Healthy Living
 This may sound like common sense, but every now and then we need a reminder that one of the easiest ways to lower your medical expenses over the long term is to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You know the drill - Eat healthy, exercise regularly, stop smoking and have regular wellness checkups with your doctor.

Other Useful Links
 UStreas.gov - US Department of Treasury site with information on Health Savings Accounts
FinancialPlanAbout.com - Information about Flexible Spending Accounts
OutofPocket.com - Look up medical costs. This site puts various types of medical costs in a database. All costs are contributed by the site's users, so please participate if you recently visited a doctor or had a procedure. The best way to search for prices on Outofpocket.com is to enter simple search terms such as MRI, X-RAY, MAMMOGRAM, or OFFICE VISIT.