I’m teaming up with UnitedHealthCare to share tips to save money on health care.
There’s one topic that seems to be on the minds of most Americans these days: health care. Specifically, health care plans and costs.
But did you know that where you seek treatment also has a major effect on your health care spending? Regardless of what plan you’re covered by.
One BIG Tip to Save Money on Health Care
Pop quiz!
Your child sprains their ankle at soccer practice on Tuesday afternoon — do you take them to the emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or their primary care physician?
The good news: all are equipped to deal with this moderate injury. However, if you chose the emergency room, you could pay twice as much for the same treatment!
In fact, the average cost for an emergency room visit in the United States is $1,327. Yikes!
Your Health Care Choices
There are a variety of types of health care choices available. Knowing which to use in a particular situation can save a significant amount of time and money. Here are the options available through UnitedHealthCare:
- 24 Hour Nurse Line — A cost-free resource which allows you to speak with a nurse about health questions. A nurse line may direct you to an appropriate treatment location if you are not sure what attention your illness or injury requires.
- Virtual Visit — A service that allows you to connect with a real doctor by phone or computer for routine health care. This doctor may be able to diagnose and/or write prescriptions for minor conditions (rash, pink eye, allergies, etc.). A handy option when traveling; no appointment needed.
- Convenient Care Clinic — Often located within a store or shopping mall; can provide preventative health care services like screenings and immunizations. Useful when your regular doctor isn’t available, and co-pay is often similar to what you would see at your primary care physician.
- Urgent Care Clinic — Handles minor emergencies like sprained ankles, minor broken bones (like a finger), minor infections or burns. An urgent care clinic generally costs less and has a shorter wait than an emergency room.
- Emergency Room — Intended for life-threatening emergencies, for example: heavy bleeding, chest pain or shortness of breath, severe broken bones, and major burns.
CLICK HERE for more details on each of these care options.
Test your knowledge and win!
Now here’s your chance to test your health care knowledge with the UnitedHealthCare Quick Care Quiz. When you play, you’ll be entered to win a $100 Amazon gift card! Here’s how:
1- Visit UnitedHealthCare and take the Quick Care Quiz.
2- Upon completion of the quiz, enter your email address and the promo code ‘soccermom’ on the United Health Care site to confirm that you played.
3- Comment on this blog post with a tip you learned while taking the quiz.
4- Enter your name and contact info in the widget below. This will randomly select a winner from all qualified entries. I’ve also included a couple bonus entires to increase your odds! Contest open through 12/31/2016. (US residents, 1 entry per household, 18+). Good luck!
Giveaway closed – thank you to all who entered!
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mamamayor says
I got a 1 , nowiknow where to go in an emergency thank you !natalie natbelinsky@verizon.net
Leela says
Total score is 5.
Elaine says
I didn’t know convenience care is cheaper than urgent care places. Would convenience care places be like inside CVS or Kroger Clinic?
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Exactly!
Jennifer L says
score was 6
Andrea Nibbe says
Good to know that convenience clinics are less expensive than urgent care!!
Marina says
Wow! I actually never knew that convience clinics had a price difference when compared to urgent care
Char says
I didn’t know that the clinics have price differences. Thanks so much for the great offer!
Steve Weber says
I learned the order of most to least expensive as far as where to get medical treatments.
Angelica says
I learned that the average cost of an ER visit is $1,327. OUCH!
accontests6 says
DId not know that different places had different prices.
Annalisa L says
I leaned you can save a lot of money by knowing care options before you need them!
latanya t says
An Urgent Care Center may provide care for sprains, strains, minor broken bones, minor infections and minor burns.
Tiffany S says
I learned that convenience clinics are a lot cheaper than urgent care.
Kristin says
I learned that a 24 hour Nurse hotline is your cheapest care option
Allan F says
I learned about virtual visits. Which I wasn’t as aware of before.
saegan anderson says
it costs a lot of money to go to the ER
brittany doerfler says
i learned that the 24 hour nurse line is the least expensive option as it’s free.
Sheila K. says
My total score was 3.
Debbie F says
I learned that 24 hour nurse (phone) is the least expensive option when you’re not in a life threatening situation.
thanks!
Ashley turicik says
I had no idea what convenience clinics were. Great info. Thanks
Trinity Rosario says
ER is the most expensive!
al says
Convenience Care clinics can be found in some malls.
liz says
ER is most expensive of options.
Allyson Becker says
I learned the convenience care clinics are often located in malls and retail stores.
Jenny Ham says
Easy to find and not expensive
Jenny Ham says
My score was 5
Yvonne Delgado says
I learned that I can do a virtual visit with my doctor. Who knew? I also love that 24hr phone appointments are free.
MichelleS says
I didn’t know convenience clinics were found in malls!
Kristen Patton says
I learned that a virtual visit is the least expensive care option.
Sarah Cool says
I learned that er visits cost over $1300 on average…wayyy too expensive