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Six Tips on Finding Affordable Individual Health Insurance
The words, affordable individual health insurance, would appear to be a contradiction of words. This is particularly true today as health insurance premiums for some have become the single biggest expense in their lives. Unfortunately, if you have any serious health problems such as diabetes, or a family history of heart disease or cancer, your monthly premium can exceed your mortgage payment.
“Affordable individual health insurance,” of course, can mean different things to different people depending on the financial situation. For the purposes of this article, affordable individual health insurance will mean the best health insurance coverage for the least amount of money, or an amount that fits your budget.
There are several actions you can take to keep costs to a minimum, six of which are discussed as follows:
First, choose a higher deductible. If you and your family are generally healthy, you may want to consider a higher deductible (0 or ,000). By choosing a higher deductible, you can realize a significant reduction in premiums. However, you will need to consider, and perhaps even plan for, the possibility that you may end up being liable for the maximum deductible if the “unthinkable” (serious illness or injury) occurs and you incur significant medical expenses.
Second, if you can afford it, pay your premiums annually, or at least quarterly. You will want to ask your health insurance broker about the possible savings, but you should be able to at least save on any service fees that would otherwise be charged monthly. By asking your broker a simple question about this payment option you may be able to receive a significant prepayment discount.
Third, obtain multiple individual health insurance quotes. A minimum of three is advised, but certainly the more the better. Since individual health insurance rates are regulated by the states, you will pay the same amount for the exact same policy whether you purchase it from your local insurance broker, an online broker, or the insurance company itself. Nevertheless, only by reviewing several different plans and quotes side by side, can you truly gain an understanding of the options available to you and their costs.
Fourth, if possible enroll in a group health insurance policy. Individuals looking for more affordable health insurance may be become eligible for a group plan by joining professional or trade associations. Group plans typically offer more comprehensive coverage at a lower cost.
Fifth, think long and hard about buying supplemental medical insurance. More often than not, a supplemental policy is not necessary as your main policy will offer adequate coverage; and if it doesn’t, you should continue looking for a better individual health insurance plan.
Sixth, and last, it is advised to live a healthier lifestyle. Granted, there are various medical problems that you may not be able to control. However, there are many things that you can do immediately that will not only improve your health, but will also result in considerable savings in premiums. For example, by quitting smoking, you can enjoy significant savings in your premiums.
The search for affordable individual health insurance can seem like an exercise in futility in today’s health insurance market. However, by considering the tips above, you may find that you are better able to find quality health insurance that fits into your budget.
About the Author: Jonathon James has been working in the health industry for nearly twenty years. To view additional articles and resources related to affordable individual health insurance, please visit
LearningAboutHealthInsurance.com
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