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Green Fertility: A Breath of Fresh Air For Couples Trying To Conceive!

Looking to add cranberries to your diet? Try this natural supplement!

Looking to add cranberries to your diet? Try this natural supplement!
New study shows these cranberry chews beat antibiotics in the treatment of common urinary tract infections. Click the picture to learn more!

Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause

Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause
Don't suffer another minute! Click the photo to find the solutions that are right for you!

Go Glam - at a price you can really afford!

Go Glam - at a price you can really afford!
Click the photo to see fabulous designer jewelry -at outlet prices!

The Best Calcium/Vitamin D Supplements For Women's Bone Health - Click on any picture to learn why!

Look younger instantly! Seriously. This product takes years off your face with one swipe!

Benefit Cosmetics LLC

What's In Your Make Up Bag?

What's In Your Make Up Bag?
7 Tips For Choosing Safer Cosmetics: What Every Woman Must Know!

Amazing Sale on Natural French Skin Care! WOW

L'Occitane

Calling All Recessionista Divas!

Calling All Recessionista Divas!
Money saving beauty & style tips you won't belive! All Free! Click the photo!

BRAND NEW ! The Hot Flash Solution : A brand new book by mid life health expert Colette Bouchez

BRAND NEW ! The Hot Flash Solution : A brand new book by mid life health expert Colette Bouchez
Click the cover to find out more!

Bioidential hormones & Natural Estrogen: Learn more!

Bioidential hormones & Natural Estrogen: Learn more!
Click the photo to learn more about natural estrogen and the biological hormones that Oprah Winfry says changed her life!

Stunning Leather Laptop Bag or Briefcase! Very classy!


Say Goodbye to OOPS via the new DUETS Clinical Trial On Natural Bladder Control!

Say Goodbye to OOPS via the new DUETS  Clinical Trial On  Natural Bladder Control!
To find clinical trial sites in your area click the photo above or call 1-888-DUETS-08 for more info! Or visit www.DUETStrial.com for a weekly updated listing of available sites.!

More Hope In A Jar

More Hope In A Jar
Find out the hottest anti aging skin care ingredients!
TigerDirect
YourMenopause.com

FREE SKIN CARE ! REALLY !!!! You can't beat this deal!

Sephora.com, Inc.

FABULOUS FASHION JEWELRY !

FABULOUS FASHION JEWELRY !
Visit http://www.CountryDutchess.com

Making the HRT Decision...TODAY

Making the HRT Decision...TODAY
Trying t o decide if hormones are right for you? Here's what to discuss with your doctor...

Over 40? Top 10 MakeUp Tips!

Over 40?  Top 10 MakeUp Tips!
Top Hollywood make-up guru Michael Maron offers tips on how to make any make-up look better - and help you look younger - no matter your age!

Books by Colette Bouchez

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Plus Size Style Advice

Plus Size Style Advice
Plus size fashion advice - learn how to look taller, thinner, more attractive, no matter your shape or size! A Red Dress Diary Exclusive!

For Shea Butter ...and so much more!

L'Occitane

Look Thinner Instantly

Look Thinner Instantly
Learn what you can do immediately to look thinner - it's not what you think!

Considering Wrinkle Injections?

Considering Wrinkle Injections?
Click the photo above to find out how the different types compare - their costs and side effects!

Inexpensive Anti Aging Fragrances!

Inexpensive Anti Aging Fragrances!
Click the bubbles to discover the shower gels and body creams that science says can take years off your perceived age! You'll look younger - without even trying! WOW!

Find out why critics are calling this book "the New Bible" of menopause!

Go Green - Be Gorgeous!

Yves Rocher Branding (120x60) Last Chance Shop: Yves Rocher's Biggest Discounts

Where Is Your MSG Hiding?

Where Is Your MSG Hiding?
To learn more about where the controversial food additive MSG maybe hiding in your foods, click the photo!

Reduce Mammogram Pain

Reduce Mammogram Pain
The cream used to reduce mammogram pain in the new study featured in the journal Radiology was Topicaine, minimum 4% lidocaine gel. Click on the picture to learn more about it - or buy it now online!

FREE! $10 in Groceries!

FREE! $10 in Groceries!
Get free groceries - and get em delivered! Save time, save gas save money - What's Not To Love? :)

Tootsie Rolls

Tootsie Rolls
Tips for taking better care of your feet - plus more info on the new "health " shoes!

The LowDown On Mineral Make-Up!

The  LowDown On Mineral Make-Up!
How "natural" is mineral make-up? Is it really as good for your skin as they say? Get the low down here! You'll be surprised what you learn!

Over 40? Four MakeUp Essentials!

Over 40?  Four MakeUp Essentials!
Discover the 4 essential make-up items for every woman over 40!

Having a Hot Flash?

Having a Hot Flash?
Relax!! There's a brand new way to cool off - naturally ! Click the sun to learn more!

Mineral Makeup Brand Comparison

Mineral Makeup Brand Comparison
Learn how the selling brands of mineral make-up compare.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Flu Epidemic: 10 Ways To Cut Health Care Costs

The swine flu epidemic is stealing the headlines. But perhaps the bigger health story underneath any epidemic is how many more people may need medical care, and what that can do to our already inflated health care costs. Here are 10 tips for saving some money without sacrificing good care.

By Colette Bouchez

While everyone is concerned with cutting spending, with a flu pandemic eminent this is clearly not the time to skimp on health care. In fact, if expert predictions about this flu are right, many of us may find ourselves having to budget in some unexpected health care costs in the very near future - even if that only involves preventive care.

If you do find yourself in health care cost turmoil over the next several weeks or months, here are some money-saving tips that help you save some green and stay in the pink.
Bold
1. Negotiate Smart – A 2005 Harris poll showed 3 out 5 folks who bargained with their out of network doctor got a lower price for their treatment. But to bargain more effectively try this:

* Ask your doc tor for the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) billing code for your procedure. ( It’s what insurance companies and hospitals use to set a charge).
* Call your insurance company and find out what they pay a network doc for this same procedure . Also check what Medicare and Medicaid pays.
* Then ask your doctor if he or she will accept that amount.

2. Make Your Case for Out of Network Care - If you’re choosing an out-of-network doctor because he/she has a vast amount of experience treating your health problem, or special skills that could ultimately save you future health care costs, tell your insurance company. If you can prove the skills of your out-of-network doc will save them big bucks in the long run, they just might pick up the tab.

3. If you go network – go all the way. Everyone knows that choosing an in-network doctor will save you money. To save more, find if the anesthesiologist, radiologist, or other s involved in your care are also in- network. If they aren’t, call your insurance company , for names of those affiliated with the hospital or center where you will have your procedure. Then talk to your doctor about getting those folks on your care team.

4. Double Up On Your Healthcare . If you need to go out of network or have a high deductible, try to get chronic care check ups from a single doctor visit. For example, if you need a Pap smear ask your gynecologist to check your cholesterol , blood pressure even blood sugar, thereby saving you an extra doctor visit.

5. Brown Bag It! If you need a hospital procedure and will be staying more than a day, bring your own self-care incidentals – like toothpaste, shampoo or soaps. Also ask if you can bring some of your own medications such as aspirins or any drugs you take for a chronic condition. Your own is bound to cost less than what the hospital will charge you for a few pills.

6. Health care Teamwork - If you and your partner each have a health insurance plan at work, check where coverage overlaps. Then reduce costs by having one of you opt for a lower priced plan, or even cancel one plan completely.

7. Single Parents Rejoice! You can save big on individual vs family plans by checking out the State Children’s Health Insurance Program ( SCHIP) . Most offer very low cost or even free insurance for children under 18 – meaning you can drop that pricey family plan at work. For more info call the nationwide toll free line 877-KIDSNow. Or visit www.InsureKidsNow.gov.

8. Split The Pill! Most drugs cost the relatively the same for a higher or a lower dose. So ask your pharmacist if a pill can be safely cut in two and if so, ask your doctor to prescribe a higher dose and then split the pill yourself. If it’s not safe to split a pill (some don’t work as well when cut) ask your doctor a prescribing higher dose you take once a day instead of a lower one several times a day.

9. Keep A Symptom Diary. If you’re not sure if that ache or pain really requires a doctor visit? Keep a record of symptoms while you decide - including when the symptom started, how long it lasts, what makes it worse –or better. If you do see your doctor, having this information could make save you a bundle in unnecessary diagnostic tests or procedures.

10. Shop Around. When purchasing medicine look to Big Box stores or non-chain drugstore first. Surveys show both offer lower prices than most chain pharmacies. To save more investigate free prescription drug programs. Some are state or federally funded, others supported by drug manufacturers. Here’s some places to start:

The Access Project: 800- 734-7104
Free Medicine Program.org
RXAssist.org ( 401 -729-3284).

For more health and beauty news for women over 35 visit www.RedDressDiary.com

You might also enjoy reading:
Crisis: Could You Survive a Plane Crash - or Worse?

7 Ways To Avoid Colds and Flu

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

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