Health Benefits that Benefit You…And Your Wallet

In the middle of the night my husband had an allergic reaction a couple of weeks ago to one of the ingredients in our favorite restaurant’s “secret ingredient barbecue sauce.” He needed to get to the emergency room asap, but (since we don’t have a car) he was hesitant for me to call an ambulance. “How much do you think our insurance will cover,” he managed to muffle out of his growing-by-the-second lips. Once again, we found ourselves nickel and diming our health benefits

According to Tracey Baker, a Certified Financial Planner, there are easier (and less itchy) ways to save money with your health plan. There are key financial decisions that we can make to put as much as $4,000 back in our bank accounts. Oh, what I could do with $4,000!

1.       Save with Mail Order

Many health plans offer discounts if you use mail-order pharmacies for routine medications. You could get a three-month supply of your drug but only pay for a two-month prescription.

2.       Go Generic

Last year, the average brand name prescription drug cost about $85 more than the average generic.  By switching just one prescription from a brand name drug to a generic, you could save more than $1,000 a year.

3.       Visit Your Doctor Online

Some doctors offer online consultations, which are often more convenient than in-person visits.  Talk to your doctor or your insurer to find out how to use online visits properly.  Virtual doctor appointments save you gas money, too!

For more information on making smart health benefits decisions at every stage of click on the “Navigating Your Health Benefits” tool at www.PlanforYourHealth.com.

Voluntary Blackout Day

It started on Valentine's Day. My honey and I decided to splurge on dinner at one of those super swanky French restaurants where the prices go up as the portion sizes go down, plus two tickets to see my all-time favorite crooner, Rufus Wainwright. Needless to say, it was a budget-busting night. Fearing a month's worth of ramen-noodle dinners to undo the financial damage, I was relieved when toward the end of an amazing set, Rufus introduced Blackout Sabbath (blackoutsabbath.org), a master plan to help the environment — and your electric bill.

Here’s how he explained it working: On June 21, from noon to midnight, pull the plug on your household appliances (especially that money-guzzling air conditioner!), grab a picnic blanket and head outside! Then sit back, relax and enjoy the savings. (You'll find me celebrating with a cooler and some sandwiches at the beach!) When the clock strikes 12:01 Sunday morning, reflect on all those nonessential gadgets that suck up power — and your hard-earned dollars — all day, every day. Is that 24/7 slideshow on your digital photo frame really worth the cost?

What fun energy-saving activity will you be enjoying this summer?

[Our guest Discount Diva of the day, Nicole Sia (pictured to the left), is an assistant editor at Quick and Simple who spends her freetime cruising the deal sites for bargains. Best score to date? "When I moved into my new apartment two years ago, I managed to scout a gorgeous 65-piece flatware collection for $20 and a classic white dish set for $25 on slickdeals.net -- with free shipping! Obviously, we hosted a dinner party to celebrate!"]