As patients seek smarter ways to manage their expenses in an era of rising healthcare costs. ShareWELL Health’s advocacy tools aim to support members in becoming better healthcare consumers, offering strategies that can lead to substantial savings without compromising quality. By enabling direct access to cost-saving tools and services, ShareWELL helps members navigate expenses transparently and empowers them.
Medications
One example of a tool that ShareWELL members can use to save is direct prescription purchasing. Rather than paying higher copays with traditional coverage—sometimes up to $20 for generic medications—members can use platforms like GoodRx and Blink Health to find prescriptions for as low as $4 for the exact same medication. These services offer discounted prices, often significantly lower than standard copays, helping patients avoid inflated costs and opt for the best pricing. By searching for a medication, members can access a range of prices at nearby pharmacies and select the best option. This flexibility is key for self-pay patients who wish to control their healthcare expenses directly.
Labs
Another high-impact area where ShareWELL members save is in lab services. Rather than getting lab tests ordered and billed through a doctor’s office, members can purchase panels directly from trusted providers such as Quest Labs. This approach bypasses the markups often from conventional insurance-billed lab tests, providing a cost-effective alternative. For instance, instead of paying high prices for lab work arranged through a traditional provider, ShareWELL members can pay out-of-pocket for comprehensive panels like lipid or metabolic panels at a fraction of the cost. This shift has led to savings of up to $250 per lab panel for some members, enabling them to afford more routine testing, which supports proactive health management.
Resources
Beyond labs and prescriptions, ShareWELL also provides tools and resources that help members find quality healthcare at lower prices across various services. Whether imaging, durable medical equipment, maternity, or surgery. ShareWELL equips members with robust cost comparison tools to identify the best value. By offering resources to find competitive pricing, ShareWELL aims to change the dynamic of healthcare spending, allowing members to choose services that best fit their financial and health needs.
Virtual Care
Additionally, ShareWELL’s focus on virtual healthcare provides members affordable telemedicine options for urgent and ongoing needs. Virtual visits often come at a lower price than in-office appointments, with the added benefit of accessibility and convenience, particularly useful for common illnesses, mental health support, or preventive care discussions. This shift to telemedicine means lower costs and more convenient care, which is especially helpful for common illnesses with simple remedies.
Advocacy
ShareWELL’s commitment goes beyond just providing tools—it includes dedicated advocacy to help members effectively use these resources and navigate the world of self-pay. With guidance from ShareWELL advocates, members can gain insights on where and how to access the best pricing, whether looking for affordable medications, finding diagnostic labs, or seeking lower-cost imaging services. ShareWELL’s advocacy team is available to answer questions, walk members through price comparisons, and ensure they fully understand how to maximize the benefits of self-pay tools. By providing this additional layer of support, ShareWELL empowers members to make confident, cost-effective healthcare decisions and avoid the hidden costs and complexities often associated with traditional insurance plans. This proactive, hands-on approach makes it easier for members to transition to self-pay while ensuring they feel informed and supported every step of the way.
ShareWELL Health’s mission is to empower its members to take control of their healthcare costs, equipping them with tools that are usually unknown to healthcare consumers. By demystifying healthcare pricing and simplifying access to affordable services, ShareWELL supports a community-driven model where patients can choose based on quality and cost. In a self-pay world, these resources provide the knowledge and options members need to achieve meaningful healthcare savings without compromising the quality of care they receive.