Health Care Stewardship: Little decisions can add up to big savings for Samaritan members

We can keep costs down by being savvy consumers of health care

Being a good health care steward doesn’t mean that we avoid going to the doctor when it’s necessary or that we seek substandard care. In reality, pursuing care early can head off issues before they get worse, and sometimes the highest quality provider also offers the best price.

Being a good steward means taking small, practical steps to control costs:

• Before seeking treatment, sign in to your Samaritan Ministries Dashboard and use Healthcare Bluebook™ to search for providers offering specific services in your area. Based on market data, providers are ranked by care quality and whether they charge a fair price.
• Use New Benefits for ordering labs and imaging and for discounts on prescriptions, diabetic supplies, medical equipment, and vision, dental, and hearing services.
• Ask your provider if they offer cash-pay discounts. Some members hesitate to do this because they feel like they’re asking for charity. In reality, the chargemaster rate that providers typically bill is grossly inflated. Asking for discounts is a way to avoid being taken advantage of.
• Check out the Health Resources page on the Samaritan Dashboard for immediate assistance with prescriptions.
• Enjoy 24/7 access to doctors through New Benefits telemedicine.

Being smart with our health care dollars takes intentionality, but it’s worth it because the small decisions we make add up. Samaritan Ministries is committed to providing you with the tools you need to be successful. Doing so not only limits the amount you might be expected to pay out of pocket, but also keeps Share amounts lower for everyone.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes and is not meant as medical advice. It is the opinion of the writer. The information is not meant to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health professional.