DENVER - Because nearly everyone struggles with medical bills, medical billing and practice management firm Clinic Service Corporation of Denver is offering some tips on how you can best use and pay for your health care services. The firm is one of Colorado's oldest, largest and most respected companies of its type. These tips are from Andrew Graham, the firm's CEO.

· Your doctor will be more helpful to you if you are sensitive to his/her need to be efficient. Be ready to discuss your symptoms and bring a list of medications you are taking.

· To lower overhead costs, more doctors are choosing to join larger practices. This often means you're more likely to be able to be seen more quickly if you agree to an appointment with a doctor that is not your personal physician. If seeing your personal doctor is important to you, be ready to plan your appoints well in advance.

· Managed care changes mean more of your medical costs are likely to come out of your pocket. It's perfectly appropriate to ask your managed care company to estimate what your out-of-pocket costs will be for a certain procedure.

· Buying health care services is often a big-ticket purchase. When you suspect an appointment will get expensive, do your homework. The questions you'll want answers to are similar to the ones you'd ask when buying a new car. What services am I buying? Will I get the quality I'm looking for? What will it cost?

· Go for preventative services like cancer screening, but otherwise set a course for avoiding the need for expensive medical care. Eating right, exercising, finding ways to manage your stress are all less expensive and generally more satisfying than visits to your physician.

· Discuss your financial situation with your physician if you are struggling. Virtually all the doctors will enter into a payment plan with you if needed, especially if you have a history of paying your bills. Most doctors will look to have you try to erase your debt in a 6-month time frame, if possible.

For more information about Clinic Service Corporation go to www.clinicservice.com.