Two years ago, when the economy was on a significant financial downturn, patients began returning to my office asking for help.
They were unable to afford their medications, radiology tests, laboratory work and hospital care. Many people were in jeopardy of losing their jobs. Several already had lost their jobs, therefore their health insurance … unable to pay their mortgage, car payment or utility bills. Unfortunately, present day situations have not changed.
As a result, I began to do to some creative research on my patients’ behalf. How could my patients get what they needed for less, or free? What I discovered was revealing and truly shocking. Revealing because of the volume of money-saving resources available that largely go unnoticed, and therefore unused. And shocking because of rampant price-gauging that consumers seem largely unaware of.
I did what I thought was right. I collected all these scattered money-saving tips and “inside secrets” and decided to share this information with all consumers, not just my patients.
In the process, I received an outpouring of assistance from one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States, one of the largest hospital organizations in the Pacific Northwest, pharmacists and a pharmaceutical representative. We all felt the need to help. Our purpose: to share health care advice in a way that has never been offered to consumers before, in hopes of making a difference during these stressful economic, and often emotionally turbulent times. The newly completed project: a book, “Healthcare On a Budget”.
So, how well do you know the health care system? Take a few minutes and complete this short questionnaire by answering true or false to the statements below. What you find out may be surprising.
Explanations to these questions and others, along with additional health advice and money-saving tips will be shared weekly in this new newspaper column.
1. True or False. Doing diagnostic tests (i.e., laboratory, CT scan, MRI) at a non-hospital facility can save you and/or your insurance 25 percent to 75 percent?
2. True or False. The pharmacy you use can make a big difference with regards to how much you pay for medication(s)?
3. True or False. If you are in danger of losing your health insurance and you need to be hospitalized or have surgery, a hospital may pay your Cobra monthly premium?
4. True or False. You may be able to see a doctor for free without having to go to a local public health department?
5. True or False. Mail order prescription medications are always cheaper than at a local pharmacy?
6. True or False. The cost of seeing a primary care doctor at an Urgent Care facility or at a doctor’s office is the same price?
7. True or False. Genetic testing can save you money by safely allowing you to avoid certain screening tests throughout your life?
8. True or False. Generic medications are always cheaper and equivalent to brand name medications?
KEY: 1 = True, 2 = True, 3 = True, 4 = True, 5 = False, 6 = False, 7 = False, 8 = False.
===
Dr. Linda Petter, of Auburn, is a weekly feature on KOMO News Radio (1000 AM & 97.7 FM) every Sunday, live at 7:45 a.m. She trained at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Illinois, Carle Hospital. Petter is chief of the Department of Family Practice at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Her second book, “Healthcare On a Budget”, is available on Amazon.com, or visit the website, www.DocForAll.com.
