Affordable Health Insurance

By Zoe Williams

With public health services struggling to keep up with high demand and long waiting lists for treatment, private health insurance coverage is becoming a more attractive option. While at first glance the cost of insurance may seem high, it does not need to be expensive. There are ways that you can lower the cost of your premiums. However, you should always be aware that the cheapest option may not be the most suitable plan. Always use a reputable company, read online reviews and double-check exactly what each policy does and does not cover. It’s unlikely that any existing health conditions will be covered and you may need to have a medical exam for certain policies.

Compare Health Insurance Online

When it is time to renew your health insurance policy you can go online to compare health insurance policies and premium costs to help find more affordable health insurance. There are many websites you can use to compare the various policies offered by different insurers and see exactly what each one covers. You can also adapt a policy to suit your and your family’s specific needs. If you are prepared to pay a bit more up-front before treatment, you can take out a high deductible plan. This will significantly lower your premiums and can be suitable if you are in good general health as it will only cover the more expensive treatments and procedures. But you should always make sure you will have enough savings to pay for more routine, less serious medical treatments.

A Healthier You = More Affordable Health Insurance

Increasing the amount of daily exercise you take is a simple and easy way to invest in your health. Keeping fit and active will lower your chances of developing weight-related illnesses and heart problems in particular. A healthy body generally has better defenses against a range of ailments. Being overweight will also raise your insurance costs significantly as it is more likely you will need some kind of medical treatment.

Quit Bad Habits

Bad habits such as smoking and drinking will increase the cost of your insurance premiums. Indulging in these activities means that you are at a higher risk of diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol consumption will also improve your general health and well-being.

Open a Health Savings Account

A health savings account, or (HSA), is another way of saving for future medical costs. You can put away a certain amount of money each month to help pay for any treatment you might need. This is particularly useful if you have a high deductible plan and might have to pay for treatment yourself before your insurance kicks in. You can get also tax breaks on money that you put into the account. There are many accounts available and it is easy to find one to suit your needs.

Coupled Up

If you and your spouse are paying for separate health insurance, find out how much it will cost to pay as a couple. If one of you is covered by a work policy, you may be able to put your spouse and children on the same policy. You should be aware, however, that health-insurance policies through employment can have tax implications and a private family policy may work out cheaper.

See Also:

• What is Co-Insurance?
• Car Insurance Lesson for Young Adults
• Is a Retirement Annuity the Answer for your Retirement Savings?
• Term or Whole Life Insurance- Whats The Right Option for You?
• Group Health Insurance Policies
• 5 Ways to Lower Your Health Insurance Costs
• Getting the Best Home Insurance Quote
• Save on Automobile Insurance