One of the best ways to reduce your health care costs is by using generic drugs when possible. Order your expensive brand-name drugs from Canada. My family has been using CanadaDrugs.com for years with excellent results. You can also split your drugs. For instance, medications may come in 20 and 40 milligram tablets for the same price. It's wise for patients to buy the 40 milligram tablets for the same price and make them last twice as long by cutting them in half. Check with your physician though, because not all drugs can be split.

When it comes to insurance, look for insurance with a high deductible and lower premiums if you're healthy and don't expect your costs to meet the deductible anyway. Those with expensive health problems should look for lower deductibles but higher premiums, assuming their costs will easily surpass the deductible.

Those without insurance can consider Medicaid and state subsidized health plans. The Healthcare Options Matrix will show you what's available in your state. These plans are often restricted to children and individuals with children.