为避免雪球般的帐单，没有医保的人们经常放弃与医生的会面。但这样的做法最终会使他们付出更多代价，健康顾问Michelle Katz，（《Healthcare for Less》的作者）提醒道。
在他们需要昂贵的医疗之前，预防保健对疾病的诊断和治疗非常必要。不管你是没有保险的或者只是尝试节约的人，Katz的三条建议将减少你的医疗费用：
支付现金减少支出：
人们常没有意识到医疗费用是可机动的，特别是如果你乐意支付现金。一个现金支付能节省你高至50%的费用，Katz 认为对于那些没有医疗保险的人来说这是个极好的选择，但是即使你有保险，付现金也还是不错的。因为付现金替医生减小了与保险公司争论的头痛，所以无论如何，许多医师将会减少你们交易。
搜寻廉价物：
不是所有的医疗费都是相同的。医疗费用在不同的医院间有很大变动。Katz 说它就像购买一辆汽车。在你进行选择性外科手术之前，她建议询问当地几家医院的结算部门得到报价。确切地了解什么服务被包含在费用之中，而避免隐藏的费用。
别为你的处方花冤枉钱：
在你的医生开你的处方前，询问是否有样品。如果他们无法提供，就要求你的医生开90 天的处方并非30 天的。那将节省你为了购买药物而重新预约的钱。到药物批发商购买药物，如Costco 或者Sam 店购物，也能有较多节省。当然，一些医疗费用是不可避免的，但是不要做一个被动的消费者。据美国医疗帐单提倡组织说法，高达十分之九的医药帐单存在错误。Katz 提醒，检查你的医疗帐单能替你省下大量的现金。
(MarketWatch) More than 44 million people living in the U.S. are uninsured, according to the Census Bureau's latest estimates.
To avoid snowballing debt, people without health coverage often choose to forgo doctors' visits altogether. But this may end up costing them more down the road, warns health care consultant Michelle Katz, author of the book "Healthcare for Less."
Preventive care is essential to diagnosing and treating illnesses before they require costly medical interventions. Whether you are uninsured or simply trying to economize, Katz suggests these three tips to cut your medical expenses:
Pay cash to reduce costs:
People often don't realize that medical costs are negotiable — particularly if you're willing to pay cash. A cash transaction can save you up to 50 percent, says Katz. This is an excellent option for those with no health coverage, but it's also worth paying cash if you do have insurance. Many physicians will cut you a deal anyway because it saves them the headache of wrangling with the insurance company.
Bargain hunt:
Not all medical charges are created equal. The cost of procedures can fluctuate wildly from hospital to hospital. "It's like shopping for a car," says Katz. Before you go in for elective surgery, she suggests calling the billing departments of several local hospitals to get price quotes. Find out exactly what services are included in the cost to avoid hidden charges.
Don't pay full price for your prescriptions:
Before your doctor writes you a prescription, inquire if there are samples to be had. If they aren't available, ask your care provider to write a 90-day prescription rather than a 30-day. This will save you from having to schedule another appointment for a refill. Shopping at the pharmacies of wholesalers, such as Costco or Sam's Club, can also deliver significant savings. But regardless of where you fill your prescriptions, ask for the generic brand.
Of course, some health care expenses are unavoidable, but don't be a passive consumer. According to the Medical Billing Advocates of America, an advocacy group, as many as nine out of 10 medical bills reviewed contain errors. Katz says vigilantly checking your medical bills can save you tons of cash.
编辑：ache
