When it comes to health care services, it pays to shop.

But the same person who goes online to compare plasma TV prices, checks for sales, and  consults a consumer guide may not do so when it comes to choosing health care services. Take grocery shopping—an essential, everyday expenditure. Surely you consider which Jewel, Dominick’s or White Hen is offering the cheapest prices for your staples.

But what about the essential, everyday expenditure of health care services—anything from physical check-ups to pap smears, from mole removal to chest x-rays?

While it’s obviously more important to weigh factors such as a physician’s reputation, training, bedside manner, and specialty, cost is also an important issue when choosing your doctor.

If you’re uninsured, this advice is crucial.  But even with insurance, most people have standard out-of –pocket expenses, such as deductibles or coinsurance levels, that should be considered. 

Deductibles are the expenses you pay before your plan kicks in to cover the services, and amounts vary based on your health plan; a coinsurance level, also dictated by your health care provider, is the percentage of the medical bill that is not covered once the deductible has been met.

Both forms of expenses mean you’re paying for a portion of your typical doctor’s visit and the medical tests or services required. Since you’re paying, you should ensure you get the best deal.

Local-area fees for medical diagnostic tests, like blood work, are not published in any kind of price comparison format. So, the research is up to you; but you will find that it is not as difficult as it may seem. The information on prices is accessible and easy to find.

Next time you call a doctor’s office or clinic to book an appointment, simply ask how much it will cost. You may be surprised to learn that not only can the price vary from office to office, but the differences can be significant.

I called seven local Chicago family physicians’ offices and health centers to inquire about the cost of a physical examination. The basic visit ranged from $50 to $175, a difference of 250 percent.  Only three offices priced the physical exam at $50, while the others cost $85, $100, $120, and $175.

An eighth office quoted $300 for a physical, but after questioning the high price, I learned that it included a tuberculosis shot and an HIV test. So, learn what the test or service you require entails; sometimes offices package them to include other services that you may not need, but will end up paying for.

Interestingly, I also learned that many of the office receptionists did not know the cost of a basic physical exam and had to ask a manager or doctor. This is indicative of the fact that people are not calling to find out what their doctors will charge. Do not wait for a bill to come in the mail to discover what you owe.

Remember to do your homework when choosing common medical services, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), mammograms or colonoscopies.  Consider all factors, but don’t overlook cost. Everybody deserves a deal.