3 simple and practical tips to help you save money on health care in the New Year

If you like to be smart about your money, you've probably wondered how to make thrifty health decisions. Price isn't the only thing in health care -- everyone wants to be sure that they get excellent, cutting-edge medicine for themselves and their loved ones. But too often, the health care system in America talks about prices like a luxury antiques store: "if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it."

But, there are lots of expert-approved methods to save money on great care! Here are three ways to make smart health care resolutions as we head into 2023.

You may think your insurance has negotiated the lowest prices on health care. That's wrong. Too often, health insurance is focused on breadth of reach, not the depth of savings.

You can save money on great doctors by paying directly. If you have a high deductible insurance plan, or don't have comprehensive coverage, odds are you will save significant amounts of money compared to a surprise bill coming in the mail 3 months after you hand over your health insurance card.

Ask them for a discount up-front price! Or, even better, have us at Sesame do it for you.

Many plans come with health savings accounts (HSAs) or flex spending accounts (FSAs). They can both help you save, but they have a very important difference! Money in an HSA stays with you year after year, but money in an FSA account is wiped away at the end of the year if you haven't used it.

Make sure you understand whether you have an HSA or an FSA, and if you have an FSA, make a plan to use the money in the account before the end of 2023.

You can use an FSA to pay for any care on Sesame, and in many cases can also use FSA dollars to pay for health care goods like contact lenses and over-the-counter treatments for cold and flu.

Plan ahead. If you know you need a pricey procedure or diagnostic, you'd be surprised how much timing can affect your bill. Because of high deductible plans, millions of Americans wait until the end of the year to get needed care -- once they're certain they will spend more than their deductible amount, and thus certain their insurance will pick up the bill. If you need something pricey -- scans, labs, or procedures like a mammogram or colonoscopy -- you should ask your doctor if you can pay less by getting the procedure in the first half of the year, when they're less likely to have full schedules compared to the end of the year.

Make 2023 your thriftiest year yet with a little planning and a lot of savvy. Save yourself some stress (and money) by using the easy-to-follow steps detailed above to cut down on your health costs in this coming year.