One of the biggest challenges that Americans are struggling with is rising healthcare costs. The country spent $4.5 trillion on healthcare in 2022 alone, which amounted to $13,493 per person. Unfortunately, healthcare costs are not likely to drop anytime soon.
The good news is that there are a lot of things that we can do to help lower healthcare costs, at least for our own families. One of the most important things that we can do is focus on minimizing the risk of injuries. If we are injured, we can also try the best self-care tips to improve the likelihood of a positive outcome so we don’t have to spend as much on medical care.
What Are Some of the Top Ways that We Can Lower Healthcare Costs from Injuries?
The National Safety Council reports that 63 million people sought medical care for an injury in 2022. This amounts to about one out of every five people in the United States. This is one of the major reasons healthcare costs are so high.
Here are some things that you can do to lower your healthcare spending by minimizing the risk and severity of injuries.
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Work with a Reputable Lawyer to Avoid Unnecessarily High Legal Costs
One of the costs a lot of people don’t think about much when it comes to injuries is legal costs. You want to make sure that you find a reliable lawyer that will give you good advice at a fair price. You may also want to consider working with a lawyer that takes a case on contingency if you have been in a car accident because there are no costs on your end and they will be committed to getting you the best deal. Larry H. Parker has some tips on his website for people that are looking for a lawyer for the first time after suffering an injury.
Focus on Building Muscle Strength
Engaging in exercises that improve balance and muscle strength—such as yoga, tai chi, or light weight training—helps support joint health and prevents falls. Regular physical activity can also enhance flexibility, reducing the risk of strains and injuries, which in turn can help avoid the need for costly medical intervention.
Try to Get More Sleep Every Night
Getting enough restful sleep helps the body repair and strengthen muscles and joints, making you less prone to injury during daily activities. Poor sleep, on the other hand, can lead to slower reaction times and impaired focus, both of which raise the risk of accidents and injuries.
Make Sure to Stretch Every Day
Stretching regularly can keep the muscles and joints flexible, hence reducing the risk of common injuries like strains. Simple stretching every day, especially before and after some amount of exercise, will help you prevent those kinds of injuries that require treatment.
Clean Up Your Home to Minimize the Risk of Tripping Over Things
Keep your walkways and floors free of things that could cause tripping, such as cords and rugs. Regular cleaning, securing rugs with double-sided tape, and keeping cords out of the way can lower the risk of injury and emergency care for falls.
Make Sure to Lift Things Properly
Lifting properly requires you to bend at the knee rather than the back, keeping the weight close to the body, and lifting with your leg muscles. This protects your back and may save you injures that could result in a number of costly medial visits.
Follow the Right Tips to Heal More Quickly
You will heal more quickly if you follow the right steps after having an accident. This will reduce the chance you need to return to the doctor’s office and rack up more medical bills. We have some tips on healing quickly after an accident here.