My best recent moment was inspired by YOU! I asked my hospital's social worker to help me with financial assistance for an MRI. She called some places around town and told me to reach out to an offsite image center directly.
I called and talked to the manager of the whole place, who heard my voice and my story and told me to fill out the application on their website, which I did. He encouraged me to share as many details into my life as possible, since they weigh everything when deciding whether or not and how much to allot. My story happens to be pretty gnarly to begin with, so I didn't hold back.
Within an hour of submitting my application, I got an email saying that they're covering 100% of the cost and to look for the letter in the mail. I just saved $4000, and potentially life saving care, by asking and putting some effort in.
Another win was when I asked the host of an AirBnb to give me a discount at their beach house during the off season, and while it was still expensive, it was almost 50% off.
I'm SO with you that we just need to ask and be thoughtful about when and to whom we ask. Most of the time, I find that people like to help others out when they're in need and/or have a good story (ie the beach house was down the street from the house where I was born and the house my parents built themselves and I grew up in until kindergarten).
Great suggestions, but may I say please don’t ask small businesses? Most are barely scraping by as it is. Small businesses are the most likely to get hit up for donations to local charities and schools. Many people even try to negotiate prices with small businesses like they are at a garage sale.
Agreed, it really depends on the small business. (And maybe I should have said "local"; thinking anything that isn't a huge chain box store here.) I'm going to do a HOW to ask next week, and def won't recommend haggling!
Howdy howdy! I have something worth sharing with the class.
1. If you are a frequent flyer at an independent practice, see if they have a "Wellness Club" or similar where you pay a discounted rate on the services up front each month. My chiropractor will do one visit for 55 dollars, but if you pay 125 up front each month, you get 3-5 visits per month. I've seen this plan a couple of places, and also I still sometimes see punch cards (buy 5 massages, get one free.) Around the holidays I sometimes see 'bundles' for massages -- buy three up front, and it's the cost of two. (Deals like this might be present next week, because of Valentines.)
2. If you want a high-end whatever -- a Yeti cooler so you can camp with your meds? Nice office chair? Weirdly specific couch? it's worth it to check out reddit and Youtube for reviews. I was offered 60% off a Yeti (couldn't get it at the time, rats) and I DID get almost 300 dollars off an office chair. Don't just go for the first one you find: the most popular channels can sometimes offer insane discounts. Don't fall for a 15% offer unless it's the ONLY one you can find! If the video is old, don't despair! You can also try old codes -- sometimes they don't actually turn them off. I once used a code that had been 'expired' for years. And if the code doesn't work, contact the customer service and ask if they'll honor the old code!
I'm scholarshiping my way through my eduction to work in a therapeutic role supporting people in grief. My plan is focus on non death based loss, specifically around grief with chronic illness. I'm taking a five month training at the moment and got a 75% discount. They often don't say on their website they offer this but I always email and ask. I usually always get scholarships because they want to support peoole with disabilities. Sometimes you just have to track down the right email address. 🙂
Love this post! Great ideas. So many people don’t know that you should essentially never pay a medical bill out of pocket; not only does insurance billing get screwed up frequently, but you’re right about these financial plans offered by medical centers.
I was intrigued by your Ally referral link, so I did a bunch of reading on their site and when I went to enroll, it gave me an error message and said something is wrong with your code. (Also, there’s no minimum deposit to open a savings account; just a required three months of automatic deposits (of any amount). Very cool!
Oh, and you might learn my real last name through this referral code situation. Please keep it private. There are only two people in the U.S. with my first and last name and I don’t need disability tracking my activities!
Thank you for the catch, Amy! I've replaced the link...if you have the energy, let me know if it works. There is no minimum to open the account, but I think you only get the $100 if you do $1k. My boyf used my referral to open his and it doesn't tell me who signed up, your secret is safe with me!
Was able to submit my application just now from my laptop, so your link worked. Yay! Now I wait 5-7 days for approval. My unemployed status may have thrown them for a loop.
This is such useful advice. I'm not usually shy about asking businesses for discounts, but I never thought about asking service providers (like my cranio). Also GREAT advice about not asking for discounts from friends. I love how generous, conscientious, community-minded, and frikkin' smart you are. Thanks for sharing all this with us.
My best recent moment was inspired by YOU! I asked my hospital's social worker to help me with financial assistance for an MRI. She called some places around town and told me to reach out to an offsite image center directly.
I called and talked to the manager of the whole place, who heard my voice and my story and told me to fill out the application on their website, which I did. He encouraged me to share as many details into my life as possible, since they weigh everything when deciding whether or not and how much to allot. My story happens to be pretty gnarly to begin with, so I didn't hold back.
Within an hour of submitting my application, I got an email saying that they're covering 100% of the cost and to look for the letter in the mail. I just saved $4000, and potentially life saving care, by asking and putting some effort in.
Another win was when I asked the host of an AirBnb to give me a discount at their beach house during the off season, and while it was still expensive, it was almost 50% off.
I'm SO with you that we just need to ask and be thoughtful about when and to whom we ask. Most of the time, I find that people like to help others out when they're in need and/or have a good story (ie the beach house was down the street from the house where I was born and the house my parents built themselves and I grew up in until kindergarten).
YES YES YES. No one (ever) should have to pay $4k for an MRI. It's sad we have to ask but I'm glad you did!
50% off an Airbnb is an INCREDIBLE discount, that's killer.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
SO good to hear about these Sally!
Great suggestions, but may I say please don’t ask small businesses? Most are barely scraping by as it is. Small businesses are the most likely to get hit up for donations to local charities and schools. Many people even try to negotiate prices with small businesses like they are at a garage sale.
Agreed, it really depends on the small business. (And maybe I should have said "local"; thinking anything that isn't a huge chain box store here.) I'm going to do a HOW to ask next week, and def won't recommend haggling!
thanks for the push! Just got $25/mo off my verizon bill for the next year.
Howdy howdy! I have something worth sharing with the class.
1. If you are a frequent flyer at an independent practice, see if they have a "Wellness Club" or similar where you pay a discounted rate on the services up front each month. My chiropractor will do one visit for 55 dollars, but if you pay 125 up front each month, you get 3-5 visits per month. I've seen this plan a couple of places, and also I still sometimes see punch cards (buy 5 massages, get one free.) Around the holidays I sometimes see 'bundles' for massages -- buy three up front, and it's the cost of two. (Deals like this might be present next week, because of Valentines.)
2. If you want a high-end whatever -- a Yeti cooler so you can camp with your meds? Nice office chair? Weirdly specific couch? it's worth it to check out reddit and Youtube for reviews. I was offered 60% off a Yeti (couldn't get it at the time, rats) and I DID get almost 300 dollars off an office chair. Don't just go for the first one you find: the most popular channels can sometimes offer insane discounts. Don't fall for a 15% offer unless it's the ONLY one you can find! If the video is old, don't despair! You can also try old codes -- sometimes they don't actually turn them off. I once used a code that had been 'expired' for years. And if the code doesn't work, contact the customer service and ask if they'll honor the old code!
I'm scholarshiping my way through my eduction to work in a therapeutic role supporting people in grief. My plan is focus on non death based loss, specifically around grief with chronic illness. I'm taking a five month training at the moment and got a 75% discount. They often don't say on their website they offer this but I always email and ask. I usually always get scholarships because they want to support peoole with disabilities. Sometimes you just have to track down the right email address. 🙂
Excellent! And we definitely need more people like you.
Love this post! Great ideas. So many people don’t know that you should essentially never pay a medical bill out of pocket; not only does insurance billing get screwed up frequently, but you’re right about these financial plans offered by medical centers.
I was intrigued by your Ally referral link, so I did a bunch of reading on their site and when I went to enroll, it gave me an error message and said something is wrong with your code. (Also, there’s no minimum deposit to open a savings account; just a required three months of automatic deposits (of any amount). Very cool!
Oh, and you might learn my real last name through this referral code situation. Please keep it private. There are only two people in the U.S. with my first and last name and I don’t need disability tracking my activities!
Thank you for the catch, Amy! I've replaced the link...if you have the energy, let me know if it works. There is no minimum to open the account, but I think you only get the $100 if you do $1k. My boyf used my referral to open his and it doesn't tell me who signed up, your secret is safe with me!
I really love Ally, worth the squeeze!
Thank you! I read the fine print though. The $1k minimum is on the investment account only, not the savings. Woohoo!
AH. Thank you!
also, still getting the error code 🫤
Aw crap! Thanks for letting me know...I'll reach out to them!
Was able to submit my application just now from my laptop, so your link worked. Yay! Now I wait 5-7 days for approval. My unemployed status may have thrown them for a loop.
This is such useful advice. I'm not usually shy about asking businesses for discounts, but I never thought about asking service providers (like my cranio). Also GREAT advice about not asking for discounts from friends. I love how generous, conscientious, community-minded, and frikkin' smart you are. Thanks for sharing all this with us.