10 Ways to Cut Medical Costs

Avoid financial injury by following these ten tips from MSNBC:

1. Shop for tests. Different labs may vary widely in costs.
2. Negotiate. Hospitals may waive or reduce a co-pay fee if the patient can prove that it's a hardship.
3. Question the necessity of follow-up appointments, X-rays or MRIs.

4. See if there's a cheaper version of your medication.
   
5. Speak direct to your doctor about unmanageable bills.
6. Do independent lab work through MyMedLab.com.
7. Negotiate between doctors and insurance with a patient advocate.
   
8. Fill prescriptions with big retailers.
9. Split larger-dose versions of your pills.
10. Try bartering—your labor for your doc's.