Imagine paying as much as $1,000 for one month of medical bills, on top of your insurance payment. Roger Walker faces that scenario on a regular basis. "I'm a diabetic and I have severe neuropathy in both hands and feet."

Walker, like most of us, is trying to cut back. But between insulin, pain medication and other prescriptions, it's hard to find something that he can do without. "Stopping treatment for a diabetic might lead to problems with kidney disease, eye disease or heart attack and stroke. That will be detrimental to your health and if you want to think it terms of dollars, it would be very expensive," said Dr. Steve Gerstner with Billings Clinic.

Walker believes some of his current problems stem from cuts he was forced to make in the past. But doctors say there are ways to trim medical expenses. And Walker has the right idea.

"If I'm feeling like I'm having a difficult time, I need to make sure my physician understands, I tell the doctor I need to do something different," says Walker. Dr. Gerstner says generics, if available, are a great way to cut costs. In some cases a $100 pill can cost only $20 in generic form.

Dr. Gerstner says it's not just people with extreme medical expenses whose health is in danger because of the recession.

"People may be deferring office visits, not getting minor things addressed." He says routine screenings, like mammograms and dental cleanings, shouldn't be put off. If you're experiencing something you've never had before or that causes anxiety, get to a doctor right away. On the other hand, if it feels like a cold, flu, or sore throat, there may not be a need to see your physician.

hanging your every day habits can save money as well. "Inactivity is the worst habit we all enjoy. Smoking, excessive drinking, driving without a seat belt, all these things are expensive," says Dr. Gerstner.

Whether you have minor medical costs or major ones, like Walker, Dr. Gerstner says taking care of yourself the best you can now will make you healthier and save you money down the line.