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50+ ways you can save 
Know when to stay home and treat your aches on your own
Don't see a doctor for largely untreatable ailments such as cold, upset stomachs, or occasional fatigue. All you'll get is reassurance to do what you're already doing: stay home, rest, take aspirin and drink fluids.
Do you have questions about how to treat yourself? Contact a nurse-on-call service or local clinic. The average cost of routine doctor visits is about $75. However, if these symptoms persist, see a doctor.
Check for free clinics in your community
You and your entire family can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of the many free screenings, immunizations, and other health clinics offered by your local community or a town near you. Numerous community hospitals and social services can provide blood pressure checks, shots for your children, free contraceptives and/or advice, and other preventative health care at little to no cost.
Ask what a new doctor charges before seeking treatment
As mentioned before, it pays to shop around — health care specialists are subject to the same kind of scrutiny that we routinely give any other provider of services. Take the time to call several clinics, and gather advice from friends and neighbors. Some local hospitals offer free doctor referral services, matching the patient's needs with the proper specialist. They often will know standard fees also. If you're seeing a specialist, ask the referring physician what the fair fees should be. Or call your county medical society.
Get a second opinion out of town
Believe it or not, your chance of undergoing an expensive surgery or preventative procedure may depend solely on where you happen to live. Statistics show that the frequency in which certain medical procedures are performed varies widely from location to location. For example, residents of New Haven, Conn., are twice as likely to undergo a coronary bypass operation as residents of Boston, Mass. What's the reason for this discrepancy? One Dartmouth Medical School expert, John E. Wennberg, M.D., M.H.P., explains that certain operations are simply more fashionable in some parts of the United States than others.
So, if you plan to get a second opinion prior to surgery, consider going to a specialist in another city. In addition, try to find out what the surgery rates for your procedure are in different cities. To get the names of second-opinion doctors in your region, call the U.S. government's toll-free second-opinion hotline at 800-638-6833.
Don't pay double for a second opinion
As you make arrangements for a second opinion, ask your doctor to send copies of your medical records, X-rays, and lab tests to the second-opinion doctor. These tests don't need duplication; your second doctor will have the information he or she needs - and you don't pay double.
Take your dental X-rays to your next dentist
If you move out of town or need to switch dentists, your new dentist will want to have current X-rays of your teeth and gums. You may be able to eliminate the cost of taking new X-rays by asking your previous dentist to send your most recent X-rays to the new dentist. These X-rays can cost $20 for the bitewings and $50 for the whole mouth. Practicing good oral hygiene also can cut down the frequency of taking dental X-rays. By properly brushing and flossing and by having regular check ups, patients can reduce the number if x-ray visits to taking bitewing X-rays every two years and whole mouth X-rays every three to five years.
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