As hundreds – even thousands – of kids converge into a school near you, there’s bound to be a “bug” in the bunch. Sneezing, sniffling, fevers and the nearly inevitable flu bug … So what’s a parent to do?
To coin a phrase my nana used,
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
With grandma’s words of wisdom ringing in my ears (she raised six kids so I figure she knew what she was talking about), I did a little research and found some pretty noteworthy sources that agree with her.
An article from Parents.com talks about how to help keep your kids healthy in school. The Flu Guide for Parents, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, may also come in handy.
Not to be a Debbie downer, but …
Even the best preventive steps may not be enough to fend off the latest influenza and other strains that follow kids home from school and spread to the rest of the family. Trips to the doctor’s office, meds, deductibles, and co-pays …can add up quickly.
Whether your medical bills are related to school “bugs” or other conditions your family members have, you may be able to take the bite out of your healthcare expenses. As kids head back to school and you think about benefits enrollment at work, a little homework of your own may save you big dollars and what you find out may surprise you.
For example, it never occurred to me not to use my insurance card when picking up a script. But in some cases, prescriptions are actually cheaper without it. Surprised? I was. Find out why – and learn about other ways to save on healthcare costs for yourself and your family – by following tips from Consumer Reports.
Consider these other money-saving healthcare options:
- Use LowestMed.com (or a similar site) to help you locate the best prices on prescription drugs. It’s free. You can also download the app or several others.
- Check out the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is a new way to find health coverage that fits your budget and your needs. While all insurance plans are offered by private companies, the Marketplace is run by either your state or the federal government.
Take advantage of preventive screenings. Many insurance plans must now provide certain preventive-care screenings without charging deductibles or co-payments. This may include flu shots, routine vaccines, well-baby and well-child visits, as well as other preventive services.
Written by Mary Thoele
This blog post is from the Author's perspective and doesn't speak for brightpeak financial. Contact brightpeak if you want to know more about brightpeak products, and keep in mind that they are not available in all states and there are some limitations (some exclusions and restrictions may apply).
