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