In times of economic crisis, surveys conducted in Western countries show that many people intend to save on procedures and medicines if they are not covered by health insurance..

But is this economy reasonable

Getting quality medical care can cost a fortune, but if we don't take care of our bodies, the consequences will be much more serious..

And more expensive.

Doctors, of course, know what is best for your health.. But not all of them will be as concerned about the state of your wallet.. Before shelling out for a treatment, UK experts advise you to make sure you follow a few simple rules..

Choose a healthy lifestyle.

Do you feel that you can do without pills? Before the doctor stamps the prescription, ask him if it is possible to get by with simpler methods of treatment for the time being: change your lifestyle or something else.. For example, if you have diabetes and high cholesterol, it may be enough to lose weight and switch to a healthy diet, and if you have insomnia, walking before bed and relaxation techniques can help, not just pills..

But do not forget: this decision should be made by your doctor.!

Rethink Your Vitamins.

Taking multivitamin complexes, especially for a long time, may be completely unjustified in your case.. Especially if your diet meets your needs. A complete diet should include fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and meat or fish dishes.. If you are a supporter of veganism or for some reason cannot provide yourself with good nutrition, then you may really need to take vitamins..

But do not overuse nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, calcium, or selenium unless your doctor has recommended them for a specific reason.. In addition, you should not lean on fortified drinks, which usually contain a lot of calories and chemical additives that are not always beneficial for the body..

Make sure the scheduled procedure is right for you.

Feel free to ask your doctor how much you need this or that prescribed procedure.. A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that in the US, 43% of patients undergo unnecessary tests during routine checkups.. If your doctor orders an MRI, CT scan, or other expensive procedure, ask if the cost is necessary or, in the case of a CT scan, an additional dose of radiation?

Use inexpensive copy preparations.

If possible, use generic drugs that contain the same active ingredient as the expensive original drug, but may cost several times less.. For example, the US FDA claims that generic drugs on the US market are fully consistent with brands in terms of therapeutic efficacy, but patients can save from 30% to 85% of the cost of treatment on them..

Search for the best prices.

Before forking out for a drug, do not be too lazy to ask about prices in different pharmacies. In some countries, the sale of medicines is allowed via the Internet - this is another opportunity to save. Find out about loyalty programs for regular customers or discounts for preferential categories.

Ask about sharing pills.

Many patients manage to make good savings by splitting a pill in half or quarters.. In some cases this method actually works. For example, your doctor has prescribed you drug M, which you should take 10 mg per day.. But in a pharmacy it may turn out that a package of the drug M for 20 and 10 mg costs almost the same (yes, this happens). If the manufacturer provides the opportunity to divide the tablet into parts (if there are risks on the tablet), then why not take a larger dose?

But sharing solid dosage forms is not always acceptable.. Some tablets, due to their shape, size, ingredients or structure, cannot be divided. Sometimes the protective coating (as in the case of pancreatin preparations) ensures the effectiveness of the drug, so it must not be violated..

Before making such a tempting decision, always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.!

Go abroad.

When planning your treatment, take an interest in the possibilities that are available in foreign clinics. If, for example, we are talking about medical clinics in Southeast Asia, then you can save a lot compared to similar services in Western countries.. If you have full insurance, then it is better to undergo treatment at home.. But if your insurance plan does not cover a certain procedure, then countries such as India, Thailand or China are worth considering..

The main thing is to be sure that the doctor, medical institution and the destination country itself have a good reputation among medical tourists.. Ideally, if the hospital or laboratory of your choice is on the list of accredited institutions of the Joint Commission.

Get back to basics.

Want to know the best way to reduce medical costs? Do not be ill. It's easier said than done.

Focus on things you can control: move more, don't smoke, wear sunglasses, floss, watch your diet. These and many other basics of maintaining health are simple and useful..

medbe. en.