Cheat Codes to Save Time & Money on Your Healthcare
What your insurance company doesn’t want you to know…
Everything does NOT have to go through insurance.
There are many cases where paying cash—out of pocket—can be cheaper, faster, and far less stressful than using your insurance. This applies to both prescriptions and imaging, such as MRIs or ultrasounds.
AND… you can apply what you spent to your deductible.
Let’s walk through how to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to your care.
1. Pay Cash for Medications
You don’t have to use your insurance card to get a reasonable price—sometimes, it costs you more.
Here’s how to find lower prices:
Ask us about in-clinic wholesale prices
Try Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs: costplusdrugs.com
Check GoodRx.com or RxSaver.com for real-time pharmacy coupons
Ask your local pharmacy to apply a discount code and give you a cash price
You might pay less than your insurance copay
Bonus: Paying cash often helps you skip prior authorization delays and start your treatment faster.
2. Pay Cash for Imaging
Need an MRI, CT, or ultrasound? You can get it quickly—and affordably—without going through insurance.
Cash-pay pricing at local centers:
MRI: ~$350
CT Scan: ~$250
Ultrasound: ~$100–150
We can refer you directly to imaging partners who:
Offer same-week appointments
Don’t charge hidden facility fees
Provide transparent pricing up front
No delays, no insurance headaches, and no surprise bills.
3. Pay Cash for Labs
Lab work doesn’t need to cost hundreds of dollars. Many panels are surprisingly affordable when paid directly.
Examples:
Basic labs (CBC, CMP, lipids, TSH): $5–15 each
Functional testing (GI-MAP, DUTCH, nutrient panels) - not covered by insurance
Ask us for a bundled cash-pay lab quote
You get fast results and full control over your care, with no surprise billing.
4. Get Credit for What You Spend
Even if you pay cash, you may still be able to apply those expenses toward your insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Here’s how:
Ask for an itemized receipt or superbill
Submit it to your insurance with a member-submitted claim form
Tell your insurer: "Please apply this to my deductible."
We’re happy to help you generate the documentation you need.
5. When to Skip Insurance
Consider paying cash if:
You haven’t met your deductible
You need fast access to treatment without red tape
You’re ordering advanced testing that isn’t covered (GI-MAP, DUTCH, etc.)
It’s not about skipping coverage—it’s about being smart and strategic with your care.
6. We’re Here to Help
Ask us about:
Prescription pricing
Imaging referrals
Discount pharmacy options
Cash-pay lab tests
Insurance workarounds that save time and money
