| In recent years it has become increasingly difficult | | | | For those people who really can't afford health |
| to pair the words "cheap" and "health insurance." | | | | insurance but don't want to risk a catastrophic |
| The cost of health insurance has skyrocketed, | | | | accident or illness wiping out everything they've |
| rising far faster than the overall rate of inflation. In | | | | worked and saved a lifetime for, there is another |
| fact, the cost of health insurance is now so high | | | | solution: buy health insurance with an extremely |
| that fully 15% of all Missouri residents can't afford | | | | high deductible. |
| health insurance, and as companies continue | | | | For example, a health insurance policy with a |
| phasing out their group health insurance coverage, | | | | $2,000 deductible might be affordable for |
| that percentage will undoubtedly rise. | | | | someone even on a limited budget. What such |
| So how do you get cheap health insurance in | | | | insurance would effectively mean is that the |
| Missouri? Is it even possible? The answer, | | | | insured would pay for all of their normal medical |
| fortunately, is "yes." It is possible to get cheap | | | | expenses. They would pay 100% for doctor's |
| health insurance - but it may be necessary for | | | | visits and routine medical exams and even minor |
| you to make a few compromises in order to do | | | | surgeries. |
| so. | | | | Not until after they spent $2,000 of their own |
| First, sit down with a pencil and paper and write | | | | money on health care in a year would the |
| down what aspects of health insurance are most | | | | insurance begin paying for anything. What good is |
| important to you and your family, because once | | | | a policy like that, you might ask? |
| you get on one of the comparison websites | | | | Such a policy protects your life savings and your |
| you're going to have to make decisions - it's | | | | home in the event that you have a major illness |
| better to make them now, while you have time | | | | or you have a major accident - or you simply |
| to think about them. | | | | have to spend more than a night or two in a |
| For example, how much of a co-payment can | | | | hospital during the year. Such a policy is a safety |
| you afford each time you visit the doctor? How | | | | net. |
| often do you use the emergency room? Do you | | | | But whatever you decide on, your next step is to |
| foresee any hospital stays for the coming year? | | | | get online and fill out the form on at least 3 of |
| How many prescription medications do you | | | | the many sites that offer comparisons on policies |
| regularly use? How important is it that you be | | | | and their prices among various insurance |
| allowed to see a certain doctor - and is that | | | | companies offering health care insurance in |
| doctor covered by the plan? | | | | Missouri. |
| The answers to these (and other) questions will | | | | Remember, none of the comparison sites |
| help you build a health care package that's right | | | | compares all of the insurance companies in |
| for you. | | | | Missouri, so you should get comparisons from at |
| One of the biggest things you can do to lower | | | | least 3 different sites - in that way you will end |
| the cost of your health care is to adjust your | | | | up with more overall comparisons and you really |
| deductible. The larger your deductible - in other | | | | will be able to get cheap health care insurance |
| words, the more you're willing to pay for your | | | | online in Missouri - and be able to design a health |
| own health care - the lower your monthly health | | | | care plan that's right for you and your family. |
| care premium will be. | | | | |