| After home and living expenses such as rent or a | | | | costs for health insurance and medical care. 4. Select |
| mortgage, for a good number of American families | | | | a Higher Deductible - A higher deductible and higher |
| healthcare can be the next greatest expenditure, and | | | | co-pay will surely result in a lower health insurance |
| for many a big part of that overall healthcare cost can | | | | quote, and may qualify you for a Health Savings |
| be their health insurance premium. However, according | | | | Account (HSA) which can help defray the costs of |
| to financial experts, when it comes to preparing your | | | | the higher deductible. 5. Read and be Sure you |
| family's budget, there are ways to reduce both your | | | | Understand your Health Plan - you would be surprised |
| health insurance cost, and what you pay for | | | | at how many consumers pay more for healthcare |
| healthcare in general. Whether you are shopping for | | | | simply because the do not know the details of their |
| the first time for health insurance, or are looking for a | | | | own heath insurance plan. 6. "Cheaper" isn't always |
| new plan to reduce your monthly payments, here are | | | | more "Affordable" - When it comes to a health |
| 10 suggestions that can lead to a lower health | | | | insurance quote you must pick a plan that is right for |
| insurance quote, and more affordable healthcare: 1. | | | | you and your lifestyle. Cheaper doesn't always mean |
| Stop Smoking - Depending on where you live you can | | | | more affordable in the long run. If you go for a health |
| save over $200.00 a month on the costs of cigarettes | | | | insurance quote with a smaller monthly premium, but if |
| alone. As far as a health insurance quotes goes, | | | | you have health problems and must make many |
| non-smokers always pay significantly less than | | | | doctors visits the high deductible or higher co-pay may |
| smokers for any policy. According to a recent study, | | | | cost you more in the long run. Choose a plan that is |
| even though smokers generally have a shorter | | | | right for you. 7. Consolidate Your Health Plans -if you |
| lifespan than non-smokers, they pay a third more in | | | | and your spouse both have separate health plans you |
| overall healthcare than non-smokers throughout their | | | | may save money by consolidating under a single plan. |
| lifetime. 2. Reduce Weight - Again weight plays a | | | | 8. Be Proactive - and you can save money. For |
| significant factor when getting a health insurance | | | | example know before you need them what if any |
| quote, it's a fact that if you are overweight you will pay | | | | ambulance services in your area are covered by your |
| more. Obesity is becoming one of the greatest drains | | | | insurance, and when and if your regular physician is |
| on our healthcare system. According to a recent study | | | | available after hours. 9. Be willing to Negotiate with |
| by the Rand Corporation, being obese adds $395 | | | | Your Doctor - most physicians will offer reduced or |
| each year to your average per-year health care | | | | discounted rates to patients with no or limited |
| costs, more than smoking (an addition of $230), aging | | | | insurance. 10. Reduce the costs of Prescription Drugs - |
| 20 years ($225), and problem drinking ($150). 3. Get | | | | if you have heath insurance with prescription drug |
| More Exercise - While it may be hard to put a | | | | coverage, take advantage of the "lower tier" by asking |
| quantitative amount on how much you can save on a | | | | your doctor to prescribe generic drugs, even if you do |
| health insurance quote by exercising and getting in | | | | not have prescription drug coverage look into the |
| shape - regular exercise will not only reduce weight | | | | discount programs offered by many drug companies |
| (see above) but can also improve cardio-vascular | | | | and retail pharmacies. |
| health and reduce other risk factors that lead to higher | | | | |