With the cost of just about everything on the rise, consumers are searching for ways to save a penny wherever they can. One place many consumers never think to look (or think they can’t) is on medical testing. Check out these tips on how to save money on medical tests.
Billions of dollars are spent every year on medical testing. While some of this testing is necessary, much of it is not. Just because your doctor says you have to have a test doesn’t mean you can’t say no. It’s your body and you have a right to do with it as you wish.
If your doctor says that you need a test ask him or her why you need it? Is there another way to get the results they’re looking for? How much will it cost? And always ask about any risks in relation to the test. You should also take the initiative to investigate what the test is all about. There is plenty of information available on the internet to anyone that wants it. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with what the testing process is about and what the results will show, it’s time to ask yourself if you really want the test.
If the results of the test aren’t going to change the situation what’s the point of taking the test. Look at it this way. Let’s say you’re pregnant and your gynecologist wants you to get an amniocentesis done because you had an abnormal ultrasound. The test is designed to show whether or not there are certain markers present in the amniotic fluid surrounding your baby.
Among other things, the result will show if there’s a chance that your baby may have Down syndrome. If the result of the test won’t influence your decision of whether or not to keep your baby, what then is the real necessity of the test? There isn’t one. It may be a test that is routinely performed at that stage of the game, but that does not mean you have to have it done. What the benefits of the test are should always be a consideration. The cost of the testing should also be examined.
If the results of a test are only going to be marginally beneficial to you or your doctor, and your health isn’t going to be adversely affected if you don’t undergo the testing, it may not be worth it if it costs a lot of money. Of course, if it’s relatively cheap or even free you might look at it a different way. Ask your doctor how much the test costs, and if he or she doesn’t know, ask them where you can get the information on your own. You may even be able to do some of the testing right at home, and save a bundle on medical costs.
Take for instance all those people that have their blood pressure regularly monitored. Why not ask the doctor if you can monitor your own blood pressure at home and call in the results at the proper intervals. Just think of how much money you’ll save on office visits! The same goes for those that have their diabetes monitored.
Just remember that the final decision is yours.
Trudi Buck writes about how to apply to radiology tech schools.