10 Ways to Cut Medical Costs Hospital and med bills don't have to cost an arm and a leg. Lower your blood pressure with these tips from MSNBC. Copied (Index Stock (http://www.indexstock.com)) See 1 more photo Avoid financial injury by following these ten tips from MSNBC: Shop for tests. Different labs may vary widely in costs. Negotiate. Hospitals may waive or reduce a co-pay fee if the patient can prove that it's a hardship. Question the necessity of follow-up appointments, X-rays or MRIs. See if there's a cheaper version of your medication. Speak direct to your doctor about unmanageable bills. Do independent lab work through MyMedLab.com. Negotiate between doctors and insurance with a patient advocate. Fill prescriptions with big retailers. Split larger-dose versions of your pills. Try bartering—your labor for your doc's. (More health care costs stories.) See 1 more photo Report an error