How is your medical savings account looking? We are in the third month of the year. If you feel as though your medical funds are beginning to thin out a bit too quickly, it’s time to plan ahead.
As recommended by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), all medical aid members should resist the urge to blow all their savings too quickly as they may need it later on in the year.
Many medical aid members use their benefits to buy multivitamins, sunglasses or other lifestyle items over the counter. A member of CMS advises all people to not do this. Also, members should ask their doctors to prescribe drugs that will be funded by their medical scheme for specific conditions. Members need to also make use of the preventative screenings and tests offered by their schemes.
Here are a few ways, according to CMS, to reduce out-of-pocket expenses:
- Find out who the designated service provider for the product/service you need is.
- If you need an operation, find out which codes you will be charged for, including procedure codes and other products you may need.
- Speak to and negotiate with your surgeon about the medical scheme tariff that will be charged.
- Ask your medical scheme whether the product/service will be funded in full. Make sure you know how much you will have to pay out of your own pocket.
- Ask around and see which medical service provider will offer you the best deal.
- Ensure that you obtain pre-authorisation for procedures
No comments:
Post a Comment