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By Mary Beth King, Medica It’s no secret that the cost of health care is increasing every year. By taking certain steps, however, you can help control this trend and improve your health. Ted Loftness, MD, VP and medical director for Medica suggests,“By taking certain steps, health plan members can help control costs and improve their family’s health.” Be Aware of Your Health Care Use Go to the emergency room only for true emergencies. For minor illnesses and injuries, call your doctor or visit an urgent care center or walk-in clinic. In addition, watch for billing errors and fraudulent activities related to your care. Keep Yourself Healthy Exercise, exercise, exercise. You probably already know many reasons why you should be physically active, but none is more important than how good it is for your health. The physical benefits of regular exercise and a balanced diet are numerous. No matter what your age, if you quit smoking and drink alcohol in moderation, it will help reduce your risk for many serious illnesses. Eat a Healthy Diet This is not a new recommendation, but it is essential to overall health. Limit your intake of salt and saturated fat, and enjoy plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables for snacks and for meals. Manage Conditions Maintain control over conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. This includes taking any medications as prescribed, having regular checkups and following all of your doctor’s instructions. Also, tell your doctor about care or prescriptions you receive from other physicians. Save on Medication Costs Ask your doctor if you may take generic drugs for your condition. Generics are as effective as brand-name medications and are less expensive. Whenever possible, use medications included in your plan’s drug formulary. Medica offers a mail-order pharmacy service which may also be a convenient, cost-saving option for members. Also, use medication samples wisely. Practice Prevention This includes small but important steps: Use seat belts, maintain a working smoke detector in your home and take precautions to avoid falling. Understand Who is Giving You Care When you are at home, chances are that your medical providers are part of your provider network. When you are receiving regular non-emergency medical care elsewhere in the United States, please make sure that you see providers who accept both Medicare and your coverage so you don’t end up paying more of the cost yourself! Check with your health plan to make sure of all the guidelines. These are just a few ways you can do your part to control the growing cost of health care. When we work together, everyone benefits! |
Living Well