10.14.26 SPEND LESS On Medical Expenses and When Shopping Online
Summary
Clark Howard discusses strategies for saving on high-cost prescription drugs, including the risks of Canadian mail-order bans and the workaround of traveling in person. He highlights hospitalpricingfiles.org for comparing surgical costs and advises on using independent surgery centers to lower expenses. The episode also covers a listener's success in waiving a $10,000 medical bill by demanding documentation, tips for managing Explanation of Benefits records, and a story about how abandoning an online shopping cart led to a significant discount.
Topics discussed
Sponsored segments: Progressive and Amex
Show intro and episode overview
Rising healthcare costs and Canadian drug imports
Comparison shopping for hospital procedures
Listener Q&A: How to shop for surgery prices
Listener story: Winning a $10,000 medical bill dispute
How long to keep Explanation of Benefits (EOBs)
Sponsored segments: Schwab, Talking Real Money, Indeed, Gatorade
Strategies to curb impulse online shopping
Listener Q&A: Keeping a store credit card open
Listener Q&A: Setting up gifts without SSN
Recovering lost funds from Spirit Airlines bankruptcy
Closing remarks and preview of Clark Stinks
Sponsored segment: Checkout.com
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