During these tough economic times, it is important to take control of all aspects of spending. Managing medical expenses is a very important aspect of financial management. People living with HIV/AIDS tend to have higher health care costs than the general population. In the U.S. even with insurance, a medical emergency can cost you substantial sums of money. There are however several ways that you can lower your overall health care treatment costs:

1. Switch to Generics - Generic medicines can offer you substantial savings. Most large retail pharmacies offer prices online. You can then compare these prices with international internet pharmacies which can also offer very substantial savings.

2. Shop Around - Shop around for everything from x-rays and blood tests. You will find that prices vary from clinic to clinic.

3. Negotiate - Always negotiate with the doctor. As a matter of fact, those who negotiate regularly have been known to receive savings of up to 10%.

4. Pay in Advance - If you can afford to, paying in advance can also yield you a discount.

5. Check the bill - Not once, not twice, but thrice. Hospital bills often contain errors which can drive up the cost of your bill. Errors related to length of stay, type of room, phone usage, etc all add up quickly. If you find an error, contact the billing office immediately.

These simple but helpful tips can be used as a basic guideline in managing healthcare expenses. During these stressful times, people often overlook the small details which can make a huge difference in their overall financial health. Savings can be as high as 80% for prescription medications, 15% for clinical work, 10% by negotiating with the doctor, 5% for paying in advance, and triple-checking the bill from hospitals has been known to save people up to 25%!

Even those with medical insurance plans can benefit from these tips. By lowering co-pays, you also substantially reduce your overall healthcare costs. And just remember, you worked hard for your money.

Wouldn't you rather live life for you, rather than to pay for your medical expenses?