Shop Around for Health Insurance
|
| 1. |
Online insurance-search sites could help you save up to
40% by showing you the lowest-cost offers. They carry most
of the different kinds of health insurance plans that people
want.
| | 2. |
High-deductible insurance can save 20-50% over five years
for relatively healthy people. This type of insurance kicks
in only for high medical expenses.
| | 3. |
You can also save money by getting health insurance with
reduced benefits for items you may not need such as mental
health care, vision care, hearing care, substance abuse recovery,
maternity care, and dental work. Some plans strictly limit
medications, prescription drugs and/or hospitalization:
check the fine print to see if their limits are fair.
| | 4. |
Employer or group insurance could save
10-20%, for example from the AAA, AARP, alumni and various
trade associations.
| | 5. |
Two other insurance savers are a Preferred Provider
Organization (PPO) which reduces your choice of doctors, or a
Health Management Organization (HMO) which reduces doctor
choice and also reduces costs in two more ways. First, HMOs
place more emphasis on preventive care to reduce the chance
you'll get sick. Second, they reduce benefits that
management believes is excessive (such as overly long hospital
stays). The downside: HMOs may place limits on what
doctors feel is appropriate care, and you may experience
bureaucratic snafus.
| | 6. |
Shopping around could save you a lot of money by (1)
helping you implement the tips just mentioned, and (2) comparing
low-priced offers from health insurance companies. Many
people are pleasantly surprised by the affordability of several
health insurance plans. Of the
sites recommended by the Coalition for
Affordable Health Care (CAHC), eHealthInsurance
seems to be quickest and broadest. You can compare all
these types of plans, get free quotes, and apply online.
|
(Next Gem: The Psychology Of Health)
|
|
Life
