Many people pay a lot of money for medical expenses. Kiplinger shares a couple of ways to cut your health bills. Spend less on drugs Switching to generic drugs is one of the easiest ways to save — especially now that some big-name medications, such as Lipitor, have gone generic (see Brand-Name Lipitor at Generic Prices). Some brand-name drugs don’t have a generic clone but do have a Read more

Sometimes all these acronyms can make your head spin. All you want to do is pick an insurance plan that will cover your needs — so which one is right for you? Read on to find out: You should pick a PPO if: You like the flexibility of choosing out-of-network doctors even though you might have to pay more for them. You don't want to jump hoops and request a referral from a primary care physician Read more

Now that it's nearing the end of the year, there are some money chores you need to take care of, such as making sure you've spent the money in your Flexible Spending Account because it will expire before the New Year. You're actually allowed to file an extension if you haven't used up all your FSA dollars, but you need to check your company policy to see if they allow that. Don't fret if you Read more

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy! I recently asked my twentysomething friends what they'd like to know about getting health insurance. The most common response? "Everything." Evidently, and understandably, those of us navigating the maze of health insurance for the first time are less than clear on the ins and outs. Plus, paying for health insurance coverage can Read more

Medical bills can be very expensive — the US spends $3 trillion annually on healthcare expenses — but I recently learned from the book 101 Ways to Save Money on Health Care that there are many tricks to shaving off costs. The book is full of advice, and here are some of author Doc Cindy's recommended tips: Have your doctor choose a medicine from your insurance formulary and bring a copy with Read more

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy! Never has there been a more dreaded phrase than “out-of-network.” Well, maybe. But anyone who’s ever had health insurance knows the headache that is copayments, referrals and reimbursements. Given that, staying on top of the maze of paperwork can sound about as appealing as a lobotomy. But this is the season for open Read more

It's always better to be safe than sorry, and insurance policies can sure make you feel well protected. However, buying your peace of mind can be quite expensive, so you want to make sure that you're spending money on the right insurance policies. Here are insurance policies you should consider forgoing: Pet insurance: If you total the medical costs incurred in a pet's lifetime versus the cost Read more

Although the clinic you go to certainly isn't a farmers market, you can still haggle over your medical bill — the numbers aren't set in stone. Dr. John Santa, an internist and the director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center, says you should always try to negotiate because patients are paying more these days due to larger deductibles. Here are some of his tips: Tell your doctor you Read more

Don't get frustrated if your medical claim has been denied and if you're wondering how you're going to pay off the expensive bill, there are still several things you can do to raise your chances of having a successful appeal. Don't take their rejection as a final "no," and do your best to prepare an appeal. If you're feeling overwhelmed, be sure to reach out for help to those around you. Here are Read more

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy! Money is only as good as what it can get you: security, independence, freedom. The point of LearnVest isn’t to talk about your money to the exclusion of all else—it’s about using money as a tool to live the life you want. Yesterday began National Women’s Health Week, and there’s no better investment than in your Read more