When it comes to getting your roof or transmission fixed, it's common practice to collect estimates and select the service provider that offers top-notch quality at the most affordable price. While traditional insurance may have complicated matters for many people, informed consumers such as Health Access Solutions members can approach health care expenses with a similar mindset.
In 2024, our members can receive thousands of dollars per year in reimbursements for preventive care services including the following:
- Mental health services
- Tobacco cessation
- Nutrition counseling
- Physical health, like gym memberships
- Basic wellness, like wellness visits, flu shots, mammograms, bloodwork, and more
To maximize your resources and ensure your preventive funds are utilized effectively, it helps to find the most competitive prices and not overpay for any given service. Here’s how.
The Benefits of Being “Self-pay”
Traditionally insured patients are at a key disadvantage; they cannot receive self-pay discounts from health care providers. Instead, even if they request estimates or shop around, they, and their insurance companies, will often pay the fullest amount allowable by law for each procedure or service. Especially before a family has reached their annual deductible, this can be financially devastating.
On the other hand, members of Health Access Solutions are considered self-pay patients, which means they have the opportunity to request discounts from their preventive care service providers. For some health care providers, self-pay discounts can be as high as 80% off the rate charged to traditionally-insured patients and their insurers.
Our members, as self-pay patients, pay their providers directly (sometimes receiving even further discounts for paying in full at the time of service), and then submit the eligible expenses to us for reimbursement.
Finding the Best Prices for Medical Services
In addition to requesting self-pay discounts, our members also have the opportunity to shop around for “good faith estimates,” which are estimates a provider must offer for scheduled procedures, (note: emergency costs are not applicable) if you ask at least three days beforehand.
It is your right under the “No Surprises Act” of 2022, to request these estimates, and to be protected from certain unexpected charges beyond the quoted cost.
To take full advantage of the good faith estimates available to you, you can use a tool like Healthcare BlueBook, which allows you to look up prices for procedures in your area. The first ten searches per month are free.
A more hands-on approach would be to call the billing offices of the service providers in your area, asking questions and requesting estimates, until you’ve arrived at the provider who offers the best value for your needs.
The Best Options for Affordable Wellness
Preventive care is different than emergency care in that it works according to both your schedule and your budget. With your Health Access Benefit, the right planning, and some careful research, your family can receive the preventive and wellness services you need, and use as much of your preventive care funds as possible.
Even for those costs that may exceed your preventive care maximums, these tips will make those expenses predictable and manageable, meaning that your family will never go without the preventive care you need to stay healthy.