Tips for Saving on Healthcare Costs

A recent poll from KFF found Americans are increasingly concerned about the availability and cost of healthcare. This is particularly true for retirees, who tend to have more healthcare needs and limited income.

To help you manage healthcare costs, we want to point out some features of PERACare plans that are designed to help lower costs on valuable care, as well as share some general pointers for maximizing your healthcare dollar.

PERACare Plan Design

In general, we try to design PERACare plans to lower your cost share for the most widely used types of care, such as primary care visits, preventive care, outpatient services, and medications. Generic medications have the lowest copays, keeping the commonly used prescriptions affordable. While specialty medications have a higher cost share than other drug categories, PERACare plans provide meaningful financial protection given the significantly higher cost of these medications. Services and treatments that are more specialized or less frequently used are likely to have higher costs, so seeking out lower-cost options as much as possible can help.

Where and When You Get Care Matters

All PERACare carriers include a network of providers for their plans. In general, you’ll have the lowest cost when you use in-network providers. We recommend verifying that your health, dental, and vision providers are in-network. You can find a directory of providers for carriers on our website, or you can call your carrier for help finding an in-network provider.

You may have options for where you receive certain types of care, as well. For example, your cost to see your primary care provider is usually lower than the cost to see a specialist, and the costs associated with outpatient surgery are usually lower than an inpatient hospital stay. Check the benefits of your specific plan and talk to your doctor about your options.

It’s also a good idea to stay on top of preventive care. Regular medical screenings, dental cleanings, and vision exams can help you avoid future health issues and the costs associated with them.

Consider Your Prescriptions

Prescription medications can be a significant expense and an opportunity for savings. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all the medications you’re taking to identify any lower-cost alternatives like generics or perhaps medications you may no longer need.

For some long-term medications, switching to a home delivery pharmacy may also provide cost savings.  All PERACare plans are designed to offer a 90-day mail order supply at two times the copay of a 30-day retail fill, which can be a convenient and potentially cost-effective option for many medications.

Take Advantage of Community Resources

We also encourage you to look for community resources that might help with health or other needs. Here are a few free resources we recommend:

• BenefitsCheckUp: This tool from the National Council on Aging makes it easy to find local benefit programs, check your eligibility, and apply online.
• Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub: This directory also allows you to find local resources and services in a variety of categories, including medical and mental health support.
• Dollar For: This program will help you find out if you qualify for medical debt relief and walk you through the process of applying for hospital financial assistance.