How to Use Health Care Discounts to Combat Inflation

Everyday items are getting more expensive for Americans. Earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the largest increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), an index of commonly purchased items, in nearly 40 years. However, as a health care worker, you have access to discounts that can help lessen the pain of inflation. 

Below, you’ll find discounts that will help you save on essentials. Gas, housing and food were the largest contributors to the increase in consumer good prices.

How to Save On Essentials

Gas Discounts

Many health care workers must drive to work. The cost of gas, however, is increasing at a faster rate than other consumer goods—a 98.5 percent increase compared to June 2021. As a result, higher gas prices means less money left over for other expenses. Luckily, BP Amoco offers doctors, nurses, hospital workers and first responders 15 cents off every gallon for 60 days if they’re able to verify their employment status. 

Food Discounts

Just as with gas, food prices are increasing at a rate faster than the national average. Food prices increased by 10.4 percent compared to June 2021. To help save on food, health care workers have a few options. 

• BJs offers healthcare workers and first responders a free 4-month membership with id
• Blue Apron offers doctors, nurses, hospital employees and first responders $110 off their first four boxes
• Outback Steakhouse gives nurses, doctors and medical employees a 10 percent discount
• Soylent offers a 15% off discount to health care workers
• Thrive Market offers a free membership to nurses

Housing Discounts

According to the BLS, shelter increased by 5.6 percent and utilities (i.e. gas and electric) increased by 19.4 percent. If you own a home or are in the market to buy one, there are two programs that offer home loan assistance to nurses and other health care providers. Nurse Next Door, offers health care professions (not just nurses) grants and down payment assistance. Health care professionals who are hoping to refinance, buy or sell homes may be able to save by working with Homes for Heroes, a for-profit company that works with health care professionals.

For travel nurses and other traveling health care professionals, many hotels offer discounts to medical workers. See our running list of hotel discounts for health care workers for more information. 

Other Goods Hit By Inflation

In addition to housing, gas and food, we’ve curated a few discounts from categories that are experiencing high inflation. 

Coffee

The price of coffee, which many health care workers would argue is an essential good, has increased 19.3 percent over the past year. If you make coffee at home, Purity Coffee provides a 30 percent discount for nurses and medical providers.

Baby Gear and Food

Babies need a lot of stuff and a lot of that stuff has increased in price over the past year. Baby food and children’s apparel 

• Albee Baby, a retailer, offers up to 20 percent off orders for health care workers. 
• Miku offers a 10% discount for nurses on monitors
• Ergobaby, maker of baby carriers and strollers, offers 20% off all products for first responders and nurses
• Enfamil offers health care workers 10 percent off formula

The Bottom Line

Inflation can eat into your monthly spending. Discounts for health care workers can help you save money, but sometimes saving is not enough. Sometimes, working more or finding a new job—in short, earning more—is the only solution.