1. Build a relationship with a doctor. Talk with your doctor about your lifestyle and your personal and family health history. A doctor who knows you well will be better able to diagnose and treat medical conditions before they become serious - and costly.
2. Evaluate your lifestyle. Practicing healthy habits is great preventive care. This means staying active, reducing fat and cholesterol intake, wearing seatbelts, eliminating smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all. About 70 percent of health care costs and related paid time off are associated with conditions that can be prevented.
3. Ask your doctors lots of questions. When you visit the doctor, go prepared with a list of specific questions. Ask about the safety, effectiveness and cost of procedures. Learn all you can about your condition and any prescriptions you are asked to take. Ask about alternative procedures or prescription drugs (including generic prescription drugs) that are just as effective in treating your diagnosis, but that are more cost effective. If you feel uncomfortable with your doctors' recommendations, do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion.
4. Call Health Design Plus before you see a specialist. No question, doctor and hospital networks are confusing. Even your doctor may not know if the specialist he/she recommends is considered to be within your plan's network. Your health plan's customer service number is located on your identification card. We have negotiated discounts with providers in the network. Out-of-network care can get very expensive. Be sure you are using your benefits to their best advantage.
5. Use the hospital emergency department only when necessary. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if you face a medical emergency. A medical emergency is defined as the "serious, sudden onset of a medical condition resulting from sickness, mental illness or injury that appears to require immediate care to prevent potentially serious harm to the patient." For less serious problems like a sprained ankle or suspected ear infection, visit your doctor's office, an urgent care center or 24-hour walk-in clinic. You'll likely spend less time waiting for care than you would in an emergency department, and the cost is a great deal less.
6. Review your health plan options carefully during open enrollment. It's important that you read and understand your health plan documents and summary plan description so you know which services and procedures are covered - and at what level of cost sharing. You need to choose the health plan that is right for you and your family based on the level of risk you feel comfortable with and any anticipated health care expenses you expect you will incur.
7. Select a generic prescription when available. In almost all cases, the more costly drugs are brand-name drugs. The average cost of a brand-name drug is $65.29; average cost for a generic equivalent is $19.33. Generic drugs are equivalent to brand-name drugs in therapeutic value, but less costly to you and Cooper. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor if a generic drug might be available, or even a less costly preferred brand-name drug. Generally, this results in less out-of-pocket costs to you.
8. Show your plan identification card each time you receive services. Your I.D. card provides important information about you and your coverage. By showing your I.D. card each time you receive health care services a prescription, you are ensuring a smooth flow, from claim submission to provider payment.
9. Ensure your dependents are doing what they can to control costs. Often times dependents are covered by more than one insurance plan. If you are in this situation, it will be important for you and your dependents to understand what services each plan covers and at what level the service is covered.