Managing Family Care Costs

• Each medical visits costs you money either as a co-pay to your insurance coverage or a percentage of the office visit price.
  
  
• Make your visits count by know exactly what to ask. Keep in mind that "YOU" are paying for this medical visit.
  
  Come prepared with a list of questions that the doctor should answer. Don't be shy on getting your money's worth. It may save you a second visit later on.
  
  Get medical questions and answers:
  http://www.webmd.com
  
  
• You should shop around for your medical service. Even though your insurance may cover up to a certain percentage, they will only cover a certain amount. Any excess falls back onto you.
  
  Find and compare charges among doctors. It can save you money:
  
  shopping doctors / hospitals / health plans:
  http://www.doctordirectory.com/
  
  shopping dentists:
  http://www.usadentaldirectory.com/
  
  

Programs for reducing overall medical costs:

• Executive Health Network
  offers a new dimension in health care...a low cost, non-insurance medical discount program that saves members money every time they use their benefit card. Members enjoy significant savings on health care needs immediately simply by presenting their card to participating providers.

  Executive Health Network

  
  
  

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

  • An HSA is a tax-exempt savings account that can be used to pay for medical care. It is commonly referred to as a medical IRA.
    
    
  • If you don't use the money in your HSA, the money rolls over to the next year. Any unused portion of the account after age 65 can be withdrawn for non-medical expenses similar to an IRA.
    
    
  • Those who qualify for an HSA:
    
    
    
    • Individuals who are self-employed including sole proprietors, general partners or 2% or larger shareholders of S-corporations.
      
      
    • Employees of a business with 50 or fewer employees.
      
      
    • Individuals under age 65 who enroll in a compatible “high deductible” health plan (HDHP) to make tax-free contributions
      
      
  • Additional answers to questions:
    what is a HSA:
    http://www.firstmsa.com/whatis.htm
    
    
  • Find medical savings accounts:
    http://www.ehealthinsurance.com
    http://www.quotesmith.com
    
    http://www.goldenrule.com/

The rising costs of prescription drugs is forcing consumers to shop wisely using online connections to discount pharmacies and other online stores. Do your research before buying prescription medication online.

• From the FDA: Buying Drugs Online:
  http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/
  
  Check the National Board of Pharmacy:
  http://www.nabp.net/
  
  Drug information:
  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
  
  
  The following web sites are not endorsed by SayLending.com. They are provided as information for consumers researching alternative prescription medication. Users agree to use these sites at their own discretion.
  
  
• Discount Pharmacy:
  
  Canadian filled Meds up to 80% Less! Save on your RX!
  http://www.fillmyscripts.com
  
  Discount prescriptions from Canada:
  http://www.thecanadiandrugstore.com/
  https://www.candrugstore.com/default.htm
  
  Other discount pharmacies:
  http://www.medzonline.com/

Vision costs include:

1. eye exams
2. correction lenses
3. contacts
   
   
• Many of these vision costs can be covered with the right insurance:
  
  http://www.insurancetracker.com/
  
  Receive a quick, FREE online health insurance quote by completing a simple 1-page inquiry form.
  
  
• Shop online vision care for deep discounts:
  
  1-800 CONTACTS: for contact lenses and supplies
  AC Lens - contact lenses for less another online supplier
  
  FREE Eye Glasses and Contact Lens Reports
  All kinds of eye glassware: 39dollarglasses.com

• Veterinarian charges are becoming a major budget item for some households. Costs are rising and many new procedures are allowing pet owners to prolong their pet's lives.
  
  
• Any reduction strategy may involve pet insurance. Some employers offer some form of pet insurance, but most insurance must be purchased separately:
  
  getting pet insurance:
  http://www.petinsurance.com/
  
  dog health care information — canine deseases and problems:
  http://www.dogage.com
  
  
• Discounts on pet prescriptions:
  
  

Changing Your Health Fitness Programs

Two key reasons for joining or keeping your membership in a health club:

1. First, to keep yourself healthy and fit;
2. Discipline yourself to keep yourself healthy and fit.

Now, you can keep yourself healthy and fit without being part of a health club. The question is whether you can discipline yourself to a regular schedule without the social interaction that a health club offers.

Allow us to suggest some self-fitness programs:

• Online Fitness Program:
  http://www.global-fitness.com/
  
  Articles and topics on fitness:
  http://www.fitnessonline.com/
  
  President's Council on Physical Fitness:
  http://www.fitness.gov/
  
  View our directory of home gym equipment and home fitness programs: click here
  
  Need to lose weight and improve your health?
  check our nBuy center for ideas

If these don't work for you, perhaps shopping around for a less expensive club may help reduce expense:

• Search health clubs:
  http://www.healthclubs.com/
  
  Join the YMCA:
  http://www.ymca.net/index.jsp

Child Care Services

Helpful publications for parents when selecting child care facilities:

• steps in selecting your care facility
• selecting a quality after-school program
• choosing care for a child with special needs
• and more
  
  http://www.childcareaware.org/en/tools/pubs/

Search and compare child care services in your area:

• submit request and receive up to 4 emailed responses
  http://respond.com
  
  
• search yellow pages:
  child care facilities

Child and Dependent Care Expenses quality for tax deductions.

• See your tax advisor for information:
  view IRS form on Child and Dependent Care Expenses
  

Elder Care Services

Complete resource information on elder care services:

• caregivers guide
• finding elder care professionals (caregiver's directory)
• elder care loans
  
  http://www.elderlifefinancial.com

Articles and resource information about long-term elder care:
http://www.careguide.com

Search and compare elder care services in your area:

• submit request and receive up to 4 emailed responses from respond.com:
  in-home care
  
  
• search yellow pages:
  elder care facilities