🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Pick The Right Plan For Your Budget
Choosing the wrong plan is like buying a luxury car when you only drive to work and back.
You want something that fits your lifestyle and spending habits, not drains your paycheck.
Here’s how to find your match:
Compare multiple plans side by side to see what you actually need.
Avoid unnecessary extras like vision or dental if you rarely use them.
Pick a plan that balances your premium with your expected medical costs.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down your average yearly medical visits and compare plans based on those needs.
Make It Easy: Use a simple budget planner notebook to record quotes and coverage differences as you shop.
2. Go For A Higher Deductible To Pay Less Monthly
If you’re healthy and rarely visit the doctor, a high-deductible plan can be your secret weapon.
It’s like paying less rent for a place you barely stay in.
Here’s why it works:
Lower monthly premiums free up extra cash in your budget.
You only pay more when you actually need serious care.
Perfect for healthy people who just need coverage for emergencies.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your current plan and ask your provider what raising your deductible would save you monthly.
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automatically stash money for future medical expenses.
3. Use Free Preventive Checkups To Stay Healthy
You’re literally paying for these, so why not use them?
Preventive care can stop expensive health problems before they even start.
Here’s what’s often free:
Annual physical exams and screenings are covered by most plans.
Vaccines and wellness visits to catch early signs of issues.
Routine labs that help you avoid surprise hospital bills later.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Schedule your next checkup today and set an annual reminder so you don’t forget next year.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to track medical expenses and spot patterns you can prevent with checkups.
4. Understand Your Deductible And Copays
Health insurance is confusing on purpose. Seriously, who writes this stuff?
Knowing what you’ll actually pay helps you budget smarter and avoid nasty surprises.
Here’s what to look for:
Deductible: What you pay before coverage kicks in.
Copay: Your flat fee for visits or prescriptions.
Coinsurance: The percentage you pay after hitting your deductible.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Print your plan summary and highlight your deductible, copay, and coinsurance in bright colors.
Make It Easy: Use Lively to manage medical spending through a Health Savings Account (HSA).
5. Use Telehealth Visits To Save Time And Money
Doctor’s offices are great. Until you’re sitting there for 45 minutes with the flu.
Telehealth lets you talk to a doctor from your couch, and your wallet will thank you, too.
Here’s why people love it:
Cheaper visit costs than in-person appointments.
No commute or wasted time in waiting rooms.
Fast prescriptions for common issues like allergies or infections.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your provider’s app or website to see if telehealth visits are included in your plan.
Make It Easy: Use a tablet stand or ring light setup to make your video appointments comfortable and clear.
6. Stay In-Network To Avoid Extra Costs
Nothing hurts like getting a bill from an “out-of-network” doctor you didn’t even know was out-of-network.
Stick to providers your plan actually covers. It’s the easiest way to save hundreds.
Here’s what to check:
Use your insurer’s website to see approved doctors and hospitals.
Confirm every visit by calling ahead to double-check coverage.
Ask your doctor if all labs and specialists they refer are also in-network.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before every appointment, search your provider’s name in your insurance network directory.
Make It Easy: Use a small binder to keep your insurance info and preferred in-network providers listed.
7. Take Advantage Of Wellness Rewards
If your health plan offers cash, gift cards, or discounts for healthy habits. Grab them.
It’s like getting paid to do what you should already be doing anyway.
Here’s how you benefit:
Earn rewards for steps, checkups, and screenings.
Get discounts on gym memberships or wellness products.
Feel motivated to stay healthy while saving on premiums.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Log into your insurer’s wellness portal and see what healthy tasks earn rewards.
Make It Easy: Use a fitness tracker or smartwatch to log steps automatically and earn those perks.
8. Ask About Generic Prescription Options
Brand-name meds can drain your wallet faster than a bad online shopping habit.
Generic versions have the same ingredients but cost way less. Like $10 instead of $80.
Here’s what you can do:
Ask your doctor if a generic version is available before filling a script.
Compare pharmacies since prices can vary even in the same town.
Use discount cards or apps for additional savings.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time you get a prescription, ask for a generic option before heading to the pharmacy.
9. Look For Employer Or Government Discounts
You might already qualify for cheaper insurance. You just haven’t checked yet.
Between employer subsidies, state programs, and tax credits, there’s no reason to overpay.
Here’s what to explore:
Ask HR if your job offers partial premium coverage or wellness reimbursements.
Check your state’s marketplace for subsidies based on income.
See if you qualify for government assistance programs like Medicaid or CHIP.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Visit Healthcare.gov and your employer’s HR portal to compare discounts and coverage options.
Make It Easy: Use a labeled folder to save all your insurance paperwork, pay stubs, and marketplace documents.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
