Money and medical needs.
WHY IT MATTERS FINANCIALLY
Medical costs arrive without warning and they are a leading cause of debt.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What cover you have, if any.
WHAT OPTIONS TYPICALLY EXIST
Employer-provided cover Health insurance schemes Community and cooperative arrangements National schemes, where they exist Paying directly
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ANY SCHEME
What it covers What it excludes Which providers it can be used at What you pay in addition What the limits are
WHY EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITS
They determine whether it helps when needed.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That the scheme is legitimate and the provider is registered.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Where you would go in an emergency, and what it would cost.
WHY IN ADVANCE
It cannot be established during one.
WHAT TO SET ASIDE
An amount for health costs, separately.
WHY SEPARATELY
Medical expenses compete with everything else when they arise.
WHAT TO KEEP
Records of treatment and payments.
WHY
They are needed for claims and for continuity of care.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS
Whether generic alternatives exist.
WHY
They are frequently substantially cheaper and equivalent.
WHAT TO ASK
Your pharmacist or prescriber.
WHAT TO AVOID
Delaying necessary treatment because of cost Incomplete courses of treatment Buying medication from unverified sources
WHY INCOMPLETE COURSES
They fail to treat the condition and they can cause harm.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
That preventive care is cheaper than treatment.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether cover is available through any group you belong to.
