02 Aug How to Make Health Insurance Affordable!

Did you know that on average, uninsured families can only afford to pay in full for approximately 12 percent of hospital stays they may experience? According to the Insurance Journal, nearly two million uninsured Americans are hospitalized each year resulting in about $73 billion of bills that are left unpaid annually. That number is then reflected on those who do have health insurance by shifting it into higher costs for them and their employers, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

While there is no way for you to fight back against the uninsured hiking up your insurance premium, there are some other ways that you can help yourself and save money! Continue reading for a handful of easy ways to make your health insurance more affordable…

“There are a variety of affordable health insurance options available today that also offer quality coverage. Consumers believe that if they get a lower-cost plan they will have to worry about getting quality coverage and that is absolutely not the case. Make sure you find coverage that meets your family’s unique health care and budget needs. If the plan doesn’t meet both of these needs, it’s not going to save you money and it may cost you more in the long run.” – Ellen Laden, a spokesperson for Golden Rule Insurance Co., a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group

Here are some ways that you can get the most bang for your buck when it comes to health insurance:

• Stop smoking! By quitting not only are you saving yourself health wise, but it can also save you a substantial amount of money on your insurance premium.
• Stay healthy. With individual health insurance plans you are charged according to your health including weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and other pre-existing conditions. While staying healthy is a lot easier said than done, by eating better and watching your wellbeing you can help to control your insurance costs.
• Increase your deductible. As with other insurance types, the higher the deductible the lower the premium cost will be. Most health insurance is purchased as a precaution against costly health problems rather than to pay for routine doctor visits. Therefore, by raising your deductible you can help to save yourself money on your premium and therefore get more out of your money.

• Avoid any “extreme” activities! The more you participate in activities such as skydiving, bungee-jumping or mountain climbing, the greater effect it will have on hiking up your premium.
• Choose a doctor that is within your network. No matter what type of plan you have, always select an insurance company that has a strong and widespread network of doctors. By choosing a doctor within your network, you’ll be able to access substantial savings by negotiating lower rates even before you meet your deductible.

Lacking coverage when it comes to health insurance can pose a huge monetary risk to you and your family. The high cost of hospitalizations can cause a much greater financial catastrophe to those that are uninsured than the risk that comes to those lacking either auto or home insurance. For example, while automobile accidents are twice as common as getting hospitalized, the average cost of a hospital bill is almost three times more than the typical loss from an accident. So why take the risk?

For more information on Carolina insurance or for a free North Carolina insurance quote visit our website today or call us at 877-318-5951 to talk to one of our helpful agents! Don’t put your family at risk, let Spivey Insurance find the perfect health insurance plan for you!