One of the unfortunate things about being ill these days is that you often have to pay for your medical bills. Sure, medical insurance can take care of the larger costs. But, it’s the smaller ones that will often cause you cash flow problems.

Here are some handy tips to help you keep your medical bills down for the future. They might sound obvious, but they are strategies that people seldom forget about!

Eat healthy foods and exercise

Many medical problems are often down to lifestyle choices. For example, a poor diet can cause obesity. And that in itself can lead to a plethora of medical conditions and diseases. Ensure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet. And don’t forget to do some regular exercise!

Don’t smoke or drink alcohol

Smoking and drinking are two other things that lead to medical problems. If you smoke and drink to excess, you can guarantee more time with your doctor and visits to the hospital.

Negotiate your medical bills

If you offer to pay for bills upfront, it might be possible to get a discount on your costs. As the old saying goes, you don’t get if you don’t ask!

Avoid seeing a doctor in person

You might not realize it. But, it’s possible to have online or telephone consultations with a doctor! It’s an option more of us are opting for. Especially as the costs involved to both patients and doctors are much lower.

Telemedicine, as it’s known, also reduces the need for lengthy hospital visits. According to the infographic below, 70% of patients prefer telemedicine over the conventional alternative.

Infographic Created By telemedicine reimbursement