Worried about the cost of medical care? You're not
alone. A recent poll of 3,000 women found that nearly
half of them are extremely concerned about rising
healthcare costs. And as these costs continue to grow,
people may be less likely to carry health insurance or
seek care when they need it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, during the first three months of 2008, just
over 6 percent of the U.S. population was unable to get
needed medical care due to cost at some point during
the previous 12 months.
What You Can Do
To ease the burden on your wallet, try to:
- Adopt healthy habits. Help avoid the need for medical
care by exercising at least 30 minutes on most
days; eating low-fat foods and a variety of fruits
and vegetables; and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15
to 20 seconds to help prevent colds and flu.
- Seek preventive care. Annual exams, blood pressure
checks, mammography, flu shots and other measures
can help prevent disease or lead to early detection.
Talk with your doctor about your risks for heart
disease, cancer and other conditions. Follow his
or her advice for preventive screenings.
- Ask for less expensive medications. Share your drug
formulary (a list of medications for which your insurance
company will help to pay) with your doctor. Ask your
doctor to prescribe generic drugs when possible. These
are less expensive than brand-name drugs.
Northwest offers a number of programs to help you
save money on healthcare.
- Senior Advantage: If you're age 55 or older, you can save
money through Northwest's Senior Advantage program.
Members enjoy free health fairs, waivers on Medicare
deductibles for inpatient hospital stays and more.
For details or to enroll in the program, please call
806-354-1721.
- Prescription Assistance Program: This savings program
makes prescription medications more affordable
once you leave the hospital. There are no enrollment
charges or monthly fees. After you enroll online, you
can print out a personalized prescription benefit card
that is valid at more than 33,000 retail pharmacies
across the country. Join up and start saving at
www.northernplainsrx.com.
An Advantage of Aging
Learn more about the Senior Advantage program at
www.nwtexashealthcare.com. In the left column, click on
Hospital Services, then on Senior Advantage.
