Sunday, July 31, 2011

The In's and Out's of Health Insurance

By Ed Hulse


Health insurance and what it will look like in the future is one of the most talked about subjects today. Rising costs have made things increasingly difficult for many people. Without a true agreed upon solution for now, people are forced to look for ways to make due in the present. Creative ways to save money are essential for many to be able to make ends meet.

Patients are finding out more and more that there are savings for those that establish a healthy lifestyle. Insurers may reduce premiums for people that are able to keep things like cholesterol and glucose measurements in check without the use of medication. Regular health screenings such as lab tests are typically cheaper than many other appointments where prescriptions are given, for example.

In the same way, providers are more frequently promoting regular exercise and diet in their patients. And, this holds true for entire family. Those that visit the doctor more regularly and live a healthy lifestyle have been shown to have far fewer occurrences of chronic conditions later in life.

Some people simply opt for a more limited coverage. Many people, in an effort to reduce costs, get coverage that essentially pays for events or procedures that are above and beyond a certain price or dollar value. One might pay out of pocket the first few thousand dollars, after which time the coverage will be activated. This kind of catastrophic coverage is one way to reduce monthly expenses, but be protected against really expensive surgeries and unforeseen and potentially costly emergencies.

Many other families may choose to split plans among family members. Often, depending on where one lives and the level of income, children under the age of 18 may qualify for lower cost plans. Some parents may not be eligible, so they may choose slightly more expensive coverage tailored to their needs.

Dental coverage is usually another issue altogether. Many people must find a different insurer when it comes to dental work. However, much of the incentives for healthy habits remain in place. Having teeth cleaned on a planned schedule, for example, is usually far less expensive than most other dental visits. This is, in some ways, designed to save money for the consumer who partakes in regular preventative care.

Regardless of the uncertainty of the future of health insurance, there are obviously measures that one can take to reduce monthly expenses and overall expenses. Changing or modifying habits can make a lot of difference in terms of both patient healthiness and patient expense. Though people continue to debate the merits of the current system, knowing how to work within the same system can make a world of difference.



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