Before I start, a quick update on last week’s “Game” action (click here to review).

Ed went to another doctor appointment this week: same health system but a different office and specialist. They asked for a $30 co-pay this time. (Apparently the billing department algorithm says if $60 didn’t work, try $30!”

Now for today’sTip.

Joe took a prescription to a local pharmacy. Like Ed, he has a high deductible health plan, so his expectation was he’d be paying for the drug, albeit at his insurer’s discounted price.

The pharmacist told him by using his health plan, the cost would be $220. If he didn’t use insurance, he would be charged $80. So much for the health insurer’s buying power; Joe Lunch Bucket gets a better deal!

Go figure.

Whether or not to take that deal depends on if you want the payment to count toward your deductible. It won’t if you by-pass your insurer.

Thanks Ed and Joe for sharing these anecdotes.

Any others out there?