 (Image: taberandrew under CC 3.0) |
Are you looking to save money on your HSA plan? A little-known method of doing so is by doing your research to find the best deal on emergency room visits and services. People with high deductible health savings accounts must pay for the cost of a large percentage of their medical care out-of-pocket, and a hospital visit can take a huge chunk out of their accounts. Unlike managed care health insurance plans (such as an HSA or a PPO), HSA plans do not specify certain hospitals you must use. While that offers greater freedom, it also offers greater expense.
How can you bargain shop for emergency room visits? Many state department of health websites mandate that hospitals release their standard prices for typical medical procedures without health insurance, which are then posted on their websites. A slightly longer drive to a different hospital could save you thousands of dollars!
Remember that if you have a life or death emergency, you should go to the nearest emergency room regardless of how much it costs. However, if you have an urgent but non-life threatening condition, it is worth it to do a quick Google search for the best rates before you walk out the door.
