We’ve all heard the horror stories of how some poor soul suffered needlessly for months or years while his medical insurance company decided whether or not to approve a given procedure to save his life. While some of these tales may or may not be entirely accurate, anyone who’s ever had to deal with a medical insurance company can tell you that it can be a challenge, to say the least.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your medical insurance:

• Understand your policy. The first step in getting anywhere with your insurance company is understanding the details of your coverage. You need to be well-informed about your co-pays, deductibles, cost for lab work, how prescriptions are covered and more. The more familiar you are with your policy, the more confident you will be in dealing with the insurance company.
• Don’t take “no” for an answer, at least not the first time. If a medical insurance claim is rejected, don’t just give up. Look at your policy to see if it should be covered. If it should, take action. Make phone calls to the company, and use the power of the written letter. Document every contact you have with the insurance company. You may find it was a simple error to begin with.
• Keep meticulous records. Keep a health file for each family member. As you pay a bill, put it inside. Make sure you’re not paying more than your deductible.
• Use network services whenever possible. Out-of-network care tends to be expensive. Sometimes, it can be two or three times as expensive as in-network care. Make sure you  know a doctor is in network before you go.
• Choose a medical insurance policy that fits your situation and needs. If your kids are grown and you rarely go to the doctor, you probably don’t need a low deductible or maternity coverage. Figure out what you’re realistically going to pay out of pocket each year, and choose a policy that saves you as much as possible.

Your medical insurance policy is there to work for you. By thoroughly understanding how the policy works and by being willing to approach your medical care in a responsible way, you may find that you’re able to save literally hundreds of dollars or more each year in medical expenses.