Want to get a fair price on a medical procedure? You’re not alone there. More people than ever are shouldering the cost of healthcare on their own, either because they have astronomically high deductibles or no insurance at all. Unfortunately, the U.S. healthcare system isn’t built on transparency. Many people are left in the dark […]
All posts by Christina Vanvuren
Traveling for healthcare could save you money on common procedures
Traveling for healthcare is nothing new. In fact, the term “medical tourist” is used to describe people who travel overseas to receive healthcare at a lower cost. Around 1.5 million Americans seek care outside of the U.S. each year. Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism include Costa Rica, India, and Thailand. Another […]
Do patients without health insurance pay more for care?
In 2018, many American adults are split into two camps— those with a high deductible health plan (40 percent) and those with no health insurance at all (11.3 percent). With these two circumstances so common, it’s no wonder more people than ever can’t afford the healthcare they need. Whether you have health insurance and a […]
Inpatient vs. outpatient care: what’s the difference in price?
There are a lot of factors that affect how much you pay for a medical procedure. These include things like insurance network, the type of doctor you see, the state you live in, and the type of facility you go to. To learn more about what determines how much a medical procedure costs, check out […]
Are outpatient surgery centers safe?
Each year, the number of visits to outpatient surgery centers goes up. Why? Convenience and cost are the two main reasons patients seek care at outpatient surgery centers, also called ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), instead of hospitals. Now, more than two-thirds of operations performed in the United States occur in ASCs, according to Kaiser Health […]
8 tips for reducing the cost of your medical procedure
When you hear that you need a procedure like a colonoscopy or a spine surgery, one of your first thoughts is probably how will I afford that? The cost of your medical procedure may even determine whether you get it or not. You’re not alone. Many Americans have trouble affording the medical procedures they need. […]
Does out-of-network care really cost more than in-network care?
You may have heard that one of the biggest ways you can save money on healthcare is by staying “in-network.” But what does that mean, exactly? How can you tell if a doctor is in your network? Why is it more expensive to see a doctor who is out-of-network? You have questions, and understandably so. […]
Do I need health insurance in 2018?
In 2017, the rate of uninsured Americans went up by 1.3% or 3.2 million people. This rate rose for all demographic groups, with “young adults, blacks, Hispanics, and low-income Americans” being disproportionately affected. The only group that didn’t see a spike is adults over age 65, who qualify for Medicare coverage. There are many reasons […]
Healthcare budget: 5 tips to get you started
Do you have a healthcare budget? Healthcare is expensive, no matter which way you look at it. If you have health insurance, you’re responsible for paying your deductible, copay, and coinsurance. If you stay in-network, these costs could be minimal. However, going out-of-network—or not having health insurance at all—can cost far more. If you’re curious, […]