I recently postponed a scan I needed.  The reason - I'd already had two, needed another, and they were $600+ each.  My healthcare insurance has a high deductible, so the costs come right out of my pocket.  As a small business person, taxes and healthcare costs are killing me.  So I put off the procedure.

Last week, I began to be concerned about the amount of time that had gone by between the last scan and the one I wasn't getting, so I called my doctor.  I asked if there was anything I could do to reduce the cost of the scans.  They said they'd call back.

When they did so several days later, I got a shock that left me angry and ready to beat my head against the wall.  They found a facility that does those scans for under $150!!  I had the scan yesterday, and it turns out all is fine (as far as my heath goes).

I had a talk with one of the people at my internist's practice regarding the state of the economy and the difficult position many of their patients find themselves in monetarily.  I asked why they continue to refer people to the ridiculously expensive scanning facility.  I was told that it was "easier for the practice and they have an agreement with the costlier company".  I let her know (civilly) that I don't really care about their agreement, and that, as the place I get my medical care and advice, I expect them to take better care of me than that.  I think she heard me and understood, but I can't know that she did, or that their procedures will change.

What I learned, though, is to ask.  I will no longer just "do what they say".  If they refer me out to someone else for anything, I will question the price and, if I don't get the answers I want, I will research the issue myself.

In the U.S., we've been told for a while now that we are all responsible for our healthcare, that we must advocate for ourselves or find someone to do it for us.  I never thought that this issue was something I needed to advocate for, but I do now.

So, be aware.  You can have some control over your healthcare costs simply by asking for alternatives to the care outside your doctor's office that they prescribe for you.  Who knows?  Maybe you'll save the money I didn't.