A 2017 study found that Americans are delaying certain medical services due to the high costs. Many have health insurance with high deductibles, which can prevent them from being able to afford the care they need. Compared to other countries, Americans spend much more on healthcare but can't boast better health to justify the costs. Financial Education Benefits Center, a membership benefits company offering health and wellness benefits, reminds members of the variety of health and wellness benefits available to them that may help towards cutting certain medical costs.

"No one should have to put off medical care because of costs," said Jennifer Martinez, Manager at FEBC. "Even though insurance is supposed to make healthcare costs affordable, many Americans still struggle. Any little way to reduce costs can help a family stay healthy."

Why is healthcare more expensive in the U.S. compared to other countries? The U.S. is the only country among those analyzed that has an insurance system so heavily rooted in private insurance companies. High administrative costs may be related to the complex insurance systems. Others may blame high salaries of doctors, specialists, and nurses. Those professionals are paid substantially more in the U.S. than in other countries. But those costs may be explained by looking at the education costs associated with entry into those professions.

The simplest answer is that medical care just costs more. Procedures, compared head-to-head with other countries, cost more in the U.S. Those costs are passed down to individuals and families through the complex insurance systems. Additionally, prescriptions cost more in the U.S. than in other countries.

FEBC offers a variety of health and wellness benefits to its members in three membership tiers. Members can take advantage of a variety of services, including some that put them in contact with certified doctors by phone or email and another that aims to help members understand their existing health insurance and, in some cases, reduce medical bills. Members also have access to a variety of discounts for things like prescriptions, lab tests and imaging, vitamins, diabetic supplies, alternative medicine, and even pet care. Note: These benefits are not insurance and should not replace insurance.

"Medical care can be expensive, but our discounts are intended to help," said Martinez. "Chatting with a doctor, free with our benefit, can help members get quick help and decide whether they should invest in a visit to their primary care doctor. In a basic sense, our benefits give peace of mind in an expensive healthcare landscape."