Health Insurance Discounts

While many people know the importance of good healthcare coverage, they put off buying it due to the cost. Living without healthcare coverage can be very stressful, especially when you need care due to illness or injury. It is important to know you can save money on your health coverage and find discount health insurance.

There are many ways to save on healthcare plans, but shopping for plans and reviewing the options can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to research your options is with the guidance of an independent agent in our network who specializes in health insurance. 

Contact an agent today to discuss affordable healthcare insurance options, compare plans from multiple companies and find the most suitable coverage for your needs.

How to Save Money on Healthcare

• Look for plans that offer tax advantages
• Consider buying a high-deductible plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Compare healthcare plans from multiple insurance companies
• Have a backup short-term healthcare plan
• If you are young and healthy, consider a fee-for-service plan

Tips for Keeping Healthcare Affordable

The rising cost of medical care caused a healthcare crisis for many Americans. While changes in the healthcare system are underway, and are designed to help every citizen gain access to affordable care, the reality is that many people are still scrambling to find cheaper healthcare options.

Here are a few strategies to evaluate in your search for low-cost and discount health insurance.

• Manage your health.
  One practical way to save on healthcare is to stay healthy. Eating a good diet, maintaining a regular exercise regimen and good lifestyle habits can help thwart disease. Staying healthy is one of the all-time best ways to decrease your medical costs, while avoiding unexpected expenses and potential loss of income. Healthcare plans for people who actively manage their health can sometimes be more affordable as well.

The recommendations from the healthcare community include avoiding smoking and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum, in addition to eating well and managing weight and stress. 

And of course it is important to get a regular checkup with a physician who knows your health history. For those who already have health issues, managing your health under the care of a physician can help prevent additional degeneration.

• Find a group health plan.
  If you do not have a low cost health insurance plan through an employer, you may be able to find a group healthcare plan through a membership in an organization you belong to. The possibilities to investigate include memberships in clubs, alumni organizations, military organizations, teacher’s organizations and credit unions.

A group health plan will often be cheaper than an individual health plan, but it is important to do direct comparisons of the various costs, inclulding premiums, co-pays, medical treatments and hospitalization. A local member agent in our network, right in your area, can help you evaluate a range of plans and prices.

• Ask about discounts in your current health plan.
  Some healthcare plans provide discounts and savings for a variety of health management strategies, such as involvement in wellness programs. While some insurance companies provide discounts on health coverage if you are involved in a health management, wellness plan or gym membership, others provide discounts on gym memberships or weight loss programs to encourage healthy habits.

Bundling Your Health Coverage

An additional way to save that may be available to you is to bundle coverage plans offering vision and dental benefits. When shopping for plans, remember that healthcare is more than your regular doctor's visits and major medical coverage. 

Regular vision and dental checkups are also part of a good healthcare maintenance regimen. It is a good idea for most people to have vision checks once a year and dental visits twice a year. 

Review your family’s dental, vision, and healthcare needs with an insurance agent who can determine whether these plans are available in one bundled package or if there are other ways to get discount health insurance, as well as vision and dental coverage.

How the Affordable Healthcare Act Affects You

The Affordable Healthcare Act is now being enforced, resulting in some significant changes in the healthcare system. Gaining an understanding of these policy changes can help you make the best healthcare decisions for yourself and your family.

One of the concerns prompting legislative changes to healthcare laws was the lack of affordable coverage. The rising costs of healthcare have forced many businesses to stop providing healthcare plans to their work force. Most affected are underprivileged families, the unemployed and much of the middle class.

President Barrack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as the federal healthcare law or Obamacare, on March 23, 2010. 

This law seeks to increase the number of insured Americans, while reducing the cost of healthcare, and is designed to ensure that insurance companies will cover people with pre-existing conditions who may have gone without coverage in the past. 

Furthermore, the law also provides tax relief to encourage employers to subsidize the healthcare of their employees.

The real long term impact of the Affordable Care Act remains to be seen. If it unfolds as planned, every family will have access to health coverage in coming years.

Get More from Your Healthcare

Saving money on your healthcare coverage is one of the best ways to get more from your healthcare. Contact an independent agent in our network to find more ways to save on your healthcare costs and find discount health insurance that fits your needs and budget.