Increase Well-Being to Decrease Health Care Costs

The rising cost of healthcare is something on everyone’s mind. Good coverage for better health is one expense that should be budgeted for and insured. While going to the doctor or emergency room can seem to cost an arm and a leg, you can take steps to lower your healthcare costs.

Taking control of your overall well-being by instituting lifestyle changes can significantly decrease these costs. Starting illness prevention and making changes to lessen the severity of health issues will improve well-being and cut health expenses by reducing medications and doctor visits.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 86 percent of the nation’s health care costs go to treating chronic conditions. Obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes are among the most common chronic health conditions.

Medical care for obesity alone costs the United States roughly $147 to $210 billion every year. Risk factors for chronic disease such as sedentary lifestyles, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity and elevated blood pressure can be implemented with lifestyle changes.

The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, conducted by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, found that people who have four or more of the listed risk factors spend an average of $3,116 more on medication costs alone than those with one or less of the risk factors.

Preventing these costs and improving your health consists of striving toward overall well-being in four categories: physical, mental, social and financial.

Physical Well-Being

Taking steps to include more physical activity in your life with changes as simple as including a daily walk into your routine can improve your health. Strive to include more activity, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, and plan well-balanced meals to improve your physical well-being.

Mental Well-Being

The American Institute of Stress reported that one in four employees consider their jobs to be the top stressor in their life. Implement time management techniques to reduce stress and improve work performance. Find the coping mechanism that works for you to improve work and personal life to promote healthier mental well-being.

Social Well-Being

Social well-being is often overlooked when it comes to your health. As many have experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation can have disastrous effects on mental health. Taking the time to interact with friends and family or even joining a club can create long-lasting support systems that improve social well-being.

According to a Gallup survey, 46 percent of working employees are very or moderately worried about paying off normal medical expenses. Taking the steps to improve overall or total well-being leads to fewer medical bills, and lowered health care costs can reduce the stress surrounding that monthly statement.