Take Control of Your Health Care Costs

When it comes to health care, controlling your out-of-pocket costs are key. Even with health insurance, more and more of your income growth is consumed by rising health care expenses. This can lead to hard choices, where you may have to decide between following doctor’s orders and paying for other essentials. But, not managing your health today could result in even more expenses for untreated or undiscovered illness further down the road.Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help control your health care expenses. For example, many patients get their blood work done at a hospital or a hospital-affiliated outpatient clinic. In fact, up to 65% of most common laboratory tests are performed at hospitals—even though they are the most expensive setting for tests. However, there is a proven cost-savings alternative available. A recent Massachusetts Health Care Commission report found that you can save up to 57% on your blood work by choosing to use a Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center or draw site instead of a hospital laboratory. This works out to an average savings of about $17 per test, or about the same cost as lunch for two.More than cost savings, Quest Diagnostics makes getting tested convenient, with more than 300 Patient Service Centers across the Northeast. You can choose the location that’s most convenient for you, and take advantage of online appointment scheduling and results, minimal wait times, and a friendly, professional staff.Read it for yourself.  Download and read the entire report here.

---

 Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Health Policy Commission. Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, 2015 Cost Trends Report. January 2016.