3 Easy Ways To Lower Your Health Insurance Premiums

One of the biggest costs of health insurance is the premium – the amount of money you pay every month for insurance coverage. But there are a few simple things you can do to help keep premiums lower.

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Healthy Choices, Healthy Life

Leading a healthy lifestyle helps control your healthcare costs in two ways. First, many insurance companies offer lower premiums to people who lead healthy lives. Second, living healthy will improve your overall wellbeing and mean fewer visits to the doctor.

Three simple steps to living healthy are:

Eat well. Have a balanced diet. Eat plenty of fruits of vegetables. Enjoy sweets and fatty foods in moderation. Some insurance companies will deny coverage to applicants who are too overweight.

Don’t Smoke. Smokers are TWICE as likely to have a heart attack, and have a higher risk of respiratory diseases, strokes, and cancer. For these reasons, health insurance companies typically charge smokers higher premiums. But some companies will reverse the higher charges if you can prove you’ve been smoke-free for over a year.

Exercise. Staying active and physically fit keeps your heart and lungs healthy. It’s also a great way to manage your weight.

A Higher Deductible Means A Lower Premium

Your health plan’s deductible is the amount you are expected to pay toward doctor, hospital, and other medical bills. Typically, plans with higher deductibles have lower premiums.

A high deductible is considered to be anything more than $1000 for an individual. That may seem like a lot of money – but you won’t always be paying out toward the deductible when you use your health insurance. Many plans cover basic care – trips to the doctor and some prescription drug coverage – without requiring you to make payments toward the deductible.

Before you enroll in a high deductible health insurance plan, make sure you consider your risks. If you are generally healthy, a high deductible plan may be a good choice. You can keep your premiums low and have access to basic care. But if you get seriously ill or injured, you will have to cover the deductible.

If you have a history of illness or a greater chance of injury, a high deductible plan may not be a good idea. You should think about the risks of your lifestyle and your medical history, and decide if having a lower deductible will be better for you.

Shop Around For The Best Price

Because our health insurance system is an open market, you can shop around to find the best deals. Many insurance agents are independent and represent several health insurance companies. They can help you decide on the kind of plan you need, and then find you that plan at an affordable rate.

A great way to find qualified insurance agents is through the web. Online quote services can match you with professional health insurance agents in your area. These independent agents compete for your business – so you’ll get serious offers. You can compare plans, and choose the one that matches your needs and your budget.

With these simple tips, you can keep your health insurance costs reasonable. You’ll have coverage to help keep you healthy, and you’ll save money.