| Health insurance costs are a hot-button topic right | | | | the clubs, organizations or groups that you belong |
| now. The problem is being debated at the highest | | | | to. A surprising number offer group health |
| levels of government and it's possible that | | | | insurance to their members. Ask your friends if |
| someday a solution to this problem will be | | | | any group, club or organizations that they belong |
| reached. In the meantime it is up to each and | | | | to offers group health insurance. If so, consider |
| every one of us to do whatever is necessary to | | | | joining. |
| find ways of reducing the cost of our health care | | | | Ask at your place or worship. Many church groups |
| insurance on our own. | | | | offer discount health insurance to their members. |
| Fortunately there are ways for you to reduce | | | | Use credit cards wisely. Believe it or not, your |
| your health insurance costs and we're going to | | | | credit report affects how much you pay for your |
| explore a few of them here. | | | | health insurance. The healthier your credit score |
| If you're really serious about reducing your cost | | | | the less you'll pay for your health insurance. |
| of health insurance then we need to start with | | | | When was the last time you checked your |
| your lifestyle. Do you smoke? Do you use chew | | | | co-pay percentage? Many people start out paying |
| or any other tobacco product? If so, then you | | | | 20% or 25% as a co-payment when they visit |
| are not helping your cause. Tobacco users pay | | | | their doctor's office. If you can afford to increase |
| 30% to 50% more for health insurance than | | | | your co-pay to 50% you will save a tremendous |
| non-smokers. | | | | amount every month on your health premium. |
| If you smoked when you took out a health | | | | This tactic works best for people who do not see |
| insurance policy but you have since quit it is | | | | their doctor on a regular basis. |
| important that you let your insurance agent know | | | | Can you afford to increase your deductible? This |
| this as it can trigger a reduction in your monthly | | | | is a serious question and you should give it some |
| premium payment. | | | | real thought. The higher your deductible the lower |
| What's your weight like? Being overweight also | | | | your monthly health insurance premium - but by |
| increases the cost of health insurance. Losing | | | | the same token, the higher your deductible the |
| weight is more difficult than quitting smoking for | | | | more money you have to pay out of your own |
| most Americans, but the good news is that if you | | | | pocket or purse each year before you can ask |
| can lose even a few pounds you may move | | | | your insurance company to help you out. Don't |
| down one rung on the insurance company's | | | | offer to pay more than you can comfortably |
| weight chart and that could potentially save you | | | | afford. |
| hundreds of dollars every single year. | | | | Finally it's time to go online and find at least three |
| If you regularly participate in any type of | | | | of the websites designed to let you compare |
| extreme or dangerous sport or hobby then you | | | | prices on health insurance policies from different |
| will not get the best rates on health insurance in | | | | insurance companies. |
| Alabama or any other state. The same goes for | | | | You'll have to fill out the form on at least 3 |
| driving a fast sports car or driving most muscle | | | | websites if you want to be sure of seeing the |
| cars. | | | | prices from every insurance company in Alabama |
| Anything you do that puts your life or health at | | | | and you have to be careful to enter the exact |
| risk is going to increase your health insurance | | | | same information on each form so that you are |
| premium. | | | | comparing the same policy each time, but once |
| Buying group health insurance can save you a lot | | | | you are finished all you need to do is to find the |
| of money. If your work-place does not offer | | | | company with the best rate and your job is done! |
| group health insurance then ask around at all of | | | | |