Health insurance is probably one of the most controversial political issues in the U.S. right now, and it's possible that something will be done someday to make health care insurance more affordable for more people. But until then, it will be up to each of us to do the best we can and find our own ways to lower the cost of our health insurance.
But we can all do a lot more to find cheaper health care insurance.
Start by making your life healthier. This means giving up all tobacco products, including cigarettes. Even though this is hard for most people, people who don't smoke, chew, or use other tobacco products pay much less for their health insurance. If you really want cheap health insurance, you'll just have to stop smoking.
The same is true for being overweight, too. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) helps to figure out how much your health insurance will cost. But even if you only lose a few pounds, you might drop down a notch on the BMI index used by your insurance company. If this happens, you could save hundreds of dollars a year on health care costs.
Don't engage in extreme sports or dangerous hobbies. If you really want cheap health insurance, you should sell that sleek, fast sports car.
If you run a business out of your home or are self-employed, your agent may be able to get you group rates. But even if you don't qualify for group rates, your health insurance premiums may be tax deductible. When you figure in your tax break, you may find that your health insurance isn't so expensive after all.
An HMO or PPO might be part of the solution. Health Maintenance Organizations are cheaper than individual health insurance, but you can only see doctors who are part of the plan. If your current doctor is not part of the plan, you may have to find a new one.
Are you a member of any clubs, groups, or organisations? You'd be surprised at how often groups you wouldn't think of offer their members group health insurance at a discount. Ask your friends if they are part of any groups, clubs, or organisations that help people stay healthy as a group. If they are, join them. Ask around, because even some religious groups now offer group health insurance.
Obviously, if you can pay for a higher deductible, your monthly health insurance premium will be less. Be honest with yourself about your deductible, since you'll have to come up with this money to pay for your own health care before your insurance company starts to pay.
If you still can't afford health insurance but have a home, savings account, or other assets that you need to protect, you might want to buy a super-high-deductible policy, which has a deductible of $2,000 or more. These relatively cheap policies are not meant to help with regular doctor visits or even most outpatient procedures. The point of these policies is to pay for your medical bills if you have a bad accident or get sick with a serious illness.
Now, use the tips you've learned from this article to find at least three websites that let you compare the prices of different insurance companies' medical plans. Fill out the forms on all three websites the same way, so that you can compare the same policy on each.
Your job is now easy. You only have to choose the company with the cheapest price. This is how you can get cheap health insurance in South Carolina: do your research, compare prices, and pick the best one.
