Overview
When it comes to purchasing products, we almost always look at the price tag. Yet with all the money we spend on health care — from premiums to prescriptions to doctor’s office visits — we rarely think about the price of these services. And as health care prices continue to rise, that ends up costing more for you and Sonos. Here are ways you can help control your health care spending.
Use in-network providers.
They’ve agreed to charge only up to negotiated rates and bill your insurance company directly, which saves you money and time. Also, check with your insurance company to ensure that the services you and your dependents require are covered before you receive care.
Keep up with preventive care.
It’s covered in full by all of our medical plans and can help detect and prevent potentially costly health issues early. You pay nothing for annual physicals, recommended immunizations, routine cancer screenings, and more when you see in-network providers.
Use tax-free money to pay for eligible health expenses.
Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is easy and saves you money on expenses you’d have to pay anyway.
Shop smart for prescriptions.
Using generic alternatives will save you money — and they’re just as effective as brand-name prescriptions. It’s also a good idea to call a few local pharmacies to compare prices before deciding where to fill a prescription. And, be sure to take advantage of lower-cost mail order for medication you take regularly. Learn more about using your prescription coverage wisely.
Compare costs for medical procedures.
Blue Shield of California and Harvard Pilgrim have cost estimator tools. They can help you compare costs from different doctor offices and hospitals, for office visits, procedures, and more. To get started, register for an account through your medical plan’s member portal.
If you’re a Blue Shield member, you also have access to Blue Shield Concierge (855.599.2650) for support.
Available for all employees is TouchCare. A TouchCare representative can help you estimate and understand your costs, so you can make more informed decisions.
Choose the right place to get care.
Going to the most appropriate place and choosing in-network providers will save you time and money.
Should you go to a doctor’s office, urgent care facility, or emergency room?
- Schedule an appointment at the doctor’s office when you don’t need immediate attention. For example, sore throats, fevers, and routine exams can usually wait until the next day.
- Go to an urgent care clinic when you need immediate care for non-life-threatening events, such as a broken bone, severe sprain, and cuts requiring stitches.
- Get to the emergency room right away or call 911 for any life-threatening condition, such as loss of consciousness, uncontrollable bleeding, and difficulty breathing.
Can you use telemedicine?
For Blue Shield of California, use Blue Shield of California phone or video doctor consultations for common, non-emergency medical issues like colds, allergies, flu, and behavioral health. Doctors can diagnose your condition and even order prescriptions for you. Log into Teledoc or call 800.835.2362.
For Harvard Pilgrim, use Doctor on Demand for phone or video doctor consultations. Get care for concerns such as bronchitis, sinus issues, pink eye, UTIs, or skin rashes. They can also support you for concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, family issues, trauma, or PTSD. Log into Doctor on Demand.
Stay healthy and save.
Maintaining or improving your health can help you reduce medical expenses. Both Blue Shield of California and Harvard Pilgrim offer a variety of wellness services, such as health assessments and online wellness tools, designed to help you get and stay healthy. Visit Tools & Resources to see what services are available to you. Or go to the member portal for Blue Shield of California or Harvard Pilgrim for more information.
Explore all that Blue Shield of California has to offer with Wellvolution, the digital platform that guides you on your health journey. Provided at no cost to you, Wellvolution customizes your path to better health, matching you with clinically-proven programs and apps that are right for you both in mind and body. To learn more, visit Wellvolution.