10 Ways To Diminish Your Charge For Healthcare

After heating and cooling costs double as much as crack or a mortgage, healthcare is often the next biggest expense for most American families, and for many, a big part of that cost is their health insurance premium. But experts say that when planning your family's budget, there are ways to lower both the cost of your health insurance and the amount you spend on health care in general. Here are 10 tips that can help you get a lower health insurance quote and cheaper health care, whether you are looking for health insurance for the first time or for a new plan to lower your monthly payments:

Stop smoking. Depending on where you live, cigarettes alone can cost up to $200 a year. As far as health insurance quotes go, people who don't smoke always pay less than people who do smoke. A recent study found that even though smokers tend to live shorter lives than people who don't smoke, they pay a third more for their overall health care than people who don't smoke.

1. Get more exercise. It's hard to say how much you can save on health insurance by working out and staying in shape, but regular exercise will not only help you lose weight (see above), but it can also improve your heart health and reduce other risk factors that cause health insurance and medical care to cost more.
2. Lose weight. Again, your weight is a factor in getting a health insurance quote, and it's likely that you'll pay more if you're overweight. Our healthcare system is spending more and more money on treating people who are overweight. A recent study by the Rand Corporation found that being obese adds $395 to your average annual health care costs. This is more than smoking (which adds $230), getting older by 20 years (which adds $225), or drinking too much (which adds $150).
3. Choose a higher deductible. A higher deductible and co-pay will still result in a lower health insurance quote, and you may be eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA) that can help you pay for the higher deductible.
4. Read your health plan and make sure you understand it. You'd be surprised at how many people pay more for health care because they don't understand it.

they don't get to see the details of their own health insurance plan.

1. Cheaper doesn't always mean closer. "Affordable" - When looking for health insurance, you want a plan that fits your budget and your way of life. In the long run, cheaper doesn't always mean more affordable. If you choose a health insurance quote with a lower monthly premium, the high deductible or higher co-pay may cost you more in the long run if you have health problems and need to see the doctor a lot. Pick a plan that fits your needs.
2. Merge your health plans. If you and your spouse have different health plans, you may gain more power by merging them under a weird name.

plan.