How to Save on Medical and Dental Care

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How to Save on Medical and Dental Care When You’re Self-Employed

Posted by Money Tips Staff

cartoon Nearly 50 million people in the United States go uninsured (about a sixth of the population) and the number grows each year. While some opt to eschew the insurance benefits offered by their work in order to hang on to more of each pay check, there are quite a few people who simply can’t afford to pay for insurance on their own because they are self-employed. And if you’re one of the many people who has turned to freelance work as a way to make ends after a layoff, or you’ve started a business small enough that you’re not required to provide health benefits, then you may have had to give up your health care along with your regular job. But this doesn’t mean you no longer need medical and dental care. So if you’re looking for ways to subsidize your costs, here are a few avenues you may want to explore.

Pay cash. Many doctors and dentists are willing to negotiate with you in order to ensure that you keep up with your preventive care. And if you are able to pay cash, they have a lot more wiggle room when it comes to setting the price for visits. In fact, many are willing to cut their rates for services by up to half if you choose this form of payment. Unfortunately, they are forced to charge a set rate for insurance purposes; but when you no longer have insurance they have the option to charge you less.
Visit clinics. Beggars can’t be choosers, so you may have no alternative but to give up the high-priced practitioners that were supported by your previous insurance. If you earn a low income or you have previous medical issues, look into state health insurance, which will allow you to visit certain clinics and receive services for free, pay on a sliding fee scale, or simply shell out for the office co-pay. The idea is to continue seeking preventive care in any way possible in order to avoid the possibility of bigger problems down the line.
Shop around. If you’re young and healthy with a clean medical history and no imminent risk factors for illness or injury, you’re exactly what insurance providers are looking for. They want to take your money! And with a little research you can play them against each other to get the best rate possible. Of course, just about any major carrier is still going to be pricy, but if you’re set on paying out of pocket for the peace of mind that comes with insurance, this will keep you from spending more than is absolutely necessary.
Join a prescription assistance program. Office visits aren’t the only cost associated with medical care; you may also require prescription medications. Some you can get for less in generic form, but if your meds are still too costly, seek the help of a prescription assistance program. They operate at the federal, state, local, and private level and there are many programs out there, so don’t hesitate to sign up.
Discount plans. There are several companies that offer discount plans for medical and dental costs. Most pay the majority of your costs (generally up to 60%) and you only have to pay a small monthly fee for membership (anywhere from about $15-$30). There are plans for both medical (like AmeriPlan, for example) and dental (try Careington dental plans), and if you plan to continue visiting your doctor and dentist regularly (and you want the security of being at least partially covered in case of unexpected medical costs) this is a good way to go that won’t cost you a huge amount of money.

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