The In's and Out's of Health Insurance

| Sunday, July 31, 2011
By Ed Hulse


Health insurance and what it will look like in the future is one of the most talked about subjects today. Rising costs have made things increasingly difficult for many people. Without a true agreed upon solution for now, people are forced to look for ways to make due in the present. Creative ways to save money are essential for many to be able to make ends meet.

Healthy patients can generally save money on plans. Many carriers offer incentives or give lower premiums for people who maintain healthier lifestyles. Those that are able to keep cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels under control, for example, can often be rewarded with lower rates. Likewise, carriers will often construct policies that encourage regular preventative care visits.

Improved diet and increased frequency of exercise are also often rewarded. In fact, providers, in conjunction with insurers, will often promote healthy living classes as a way to minimize doctor's visits. Ultimately, adopting healthy habits has been shown to slow down the onset of things like hypertension and type II diabetes, for example.

Some people simply opt for a more limited coverage. Many people, in an effort to reduce costs, get coverage that essentially pays for events or procedures that are above and beyond a certain price or dollar value. One might pay out of pocket the first few thousand dollars, after which time the coverage will be activated. This kind of catastrophic coverage is one way to reduce monthly expenses, but be protected against really expensive surgeries and unforeseen and potentially costly emergencies.

Other strategies may involve finding different coverage's for different family members. Some families may qualify for reduced rate coverage for children, for example. The parents then have to find a different insurer for their health coverage. Much of this depends on one's annual income and on local or regional programs that may or may not be available.

Most insurers will separate dental and medical coverage. But generally preventative care is the least costly solution. Many plans will be arranged in such a way so as to make regular checkups and cleanings relatively affordable. As with medical coverage, healthy dental habits are typically rewarded by minimizing the number of costly visits. This will allow lower payments per visit, regular check ups and great habits.

Regardless of the uncertainty of the future of health insurance, there are obviously measures that one can take to reduce monthly expenses and overall expenses. Changing or modifying habits can make a lot of difference in terms of both patient healthiness and patient expense. Though people continue to debate the merits of the current system, knowing how to work within the same system can make a world of difference.



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