SAVING ON MEDICAL AND PHARMACY COSTS

It's that time of year again. The time when we find out exactly how much our medical costs will rise for the coming year. It takes increasing diligence to recoup money spent in this area.

An important place to start is with your employer. Do they offer a a flexible spending account (FSA)? If so, you should take advantage of it. An FSA allows you to set aside an amount from your salary pre-tax, to put into an account for use throughout the year. So, say in January you spend $50 in out-of-pocket costs for a prescription and an office copay visit. You compile your receipts and forward them on to the company who manages the FSA account. They review the documentation and then reimburse you for out-of-pocket costs. Remember, it is not taxed, meaning it reduces your taxable income.

Any money left over at the end of the year is lost, so estimate your yearly expenses carefully. Figure out how much you spend each month per year. Adjust it accordingly, when medical or prescription changes occur.

Check out this site for a list of eligible expenses: https://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/eligibleexpenses.asp. Stores like Walgreen's and Target make it easy, by noting FSA eligible expenses with an "F". So, keep your receipts.

Don't forget to review the charges on your medical bills and explanation of benefits. Just like on your credit card bill or store receipt, mistakes can happen. Finding one and getting it corrected could make a big impact on your pocketbook.

Lastly, review the coverages offered by your health plan. Sometimes they will reimburse you for a portion of a health club membership, or will pay for you to lose weight or stop smoking. In addition, you don't want to pay for duplicate coverage, like a separate vision plan when your health insurer already covers a yearly eye exam.

This is one of the toughest areas to save in, but by paying close attention you can reduce wasteful spending.