Practical Budgeting - Medical Edition

While I have to admit that I actually do enjoy the process of balancing our books each month, I understand that for most people, budgeting is a means to an end and simply something that must be endured to end each month in the black. This post is the first in a Practical Budgeting series.

Ah... budgeting! There's a lot to enjoy about this oft-dreaded chore. Who doesn't love to sit in front of the computer, bathed in the soft glow of a perfectly crafted spreadsheet? Who can resist the siren song of a sharp pair of scissors gliding through the latest coupons? Then too there is the artistic satisfaction of creating a neatly color-coded shopping list, complete with a menu plan and my patent-pending price match tags.

That I can then turn around and glean an overwrought, sarcastic blog post intro out of it is just the icing on the 50% off cake (bought with a coupon, natch).

Medical costs, especially for those with chronic conditions, can spell disaster for middle income families like mine. Budgeting to be able to meet those needs is absolutely critical.
 If you're struggling under the weight of medical bills, first of all, let me say I'm sorry. I know that health issues take a huge toll on a family, and that the last thing you need is stress about the cost. I've been there. I live there. I hope that what follows will be of some help  to you.

So... how can you manage the dollars while keeping your family healthy?

1 - Don't avoid the doctor.
When money is tight, it can be tempting to skip doctor visits. The problem is that cancelling routine checkups can allow small issues to become big ones, and new problems to avoid detection. It's okay to ask your doctor if a longer interval between visits can be managed, but keep up with the appointments that the doctor thinks you need. 

2 - Make sure all procedures are necessary for your case.
Often, a particular diagnosis will have a standard set of labs and tests attached to it. Sometimes, a condition can be successfully managed with modified set of tests. In Chico's case, talking with his doctor helped us to discover that 2 of the 5 labs that were normally run fell into the "nice to have" category but could be removed without compromising his care. The result was a shorter blood draw for C, and over $100 in savings each time labs were drawn. 

3 - Apply for any financial aid that is offered.
The hospital C goes to is a nonprofit entity. As such they are required to provide a certain amount of patient financial aid each year. Aid is income based, and our family doesn't normally qualify, but there are special circumstances that would apply if we had more than $2,000 in hospital bills for a given month. Even if you don't normally qualify based on income, make sure to contact Patient Aid in the event that you wind up with a particularly heavy medical bill.

4 - Consider the timing.
For non-emergency procedures, timing may work to your advantage. It might make sense to schedule costly procedures early in the year to meet your deductible early and maximize coverage for the rest of the year. If your clinic or hospital offers financial aid as outlined in #3 and you need several procedures, scheduling them in the same calendar month may help you qualify for some financial relief.

5 - Pay ahead, and utilize "cash" discounts.
This is especially helpful when you know in advance that your insurance company will not be paying any part of your bill. Our insurance company refuses to cover care at the hospital where C has been having labs drawn since he was a month old. Because of his autism issues, and the fact that they've provided him with excellent care, we've elected to self-pay for his blood work. I pay in full on the day of service, and the hospital is able to give me a 40% discount on the usual cost. I pay less, the billing department doesn't have to send a bill that will only be rejected, and Chico's continuity of care is preserved.

Are ongoing medical costs a part of your budget? Share your best savings tips with me below!