Many people in Alabama are very worried about how much health insurance costs. Right now, about 16% of all Alabama residents don't have health insurance, mostly because it's too expensive, and 50% of those who do have health insurance say that the cost of their monthly premiums is a huge financial burden.
At first glance, it may seem like there is no way to get cheap health insurance online in Alabama, but things may not be as bad as they seem.
First of all, the state of Alabama offers low-cost health insurance for children, college students, women who are pregnant, and other people as well. This insurance is pretty open-minded. Go to http://www.adph.org/allkids/ to see if you or a family member might be eligible for this cheap insurance.
You can help keep the cost of your health insurance within your budget by doing other things. Health insurance for a group will be cheaper than health insurance for one person. If you don't have group health insurance through your job, check with any clubs, organisations, or associations you belong to. Sometimes, a group you wouldn't expect to offer cheap group coverage will surprise you.
Ask your family, friends, and neighbours if they belong to any groups, clubs, or organisations that offer group health insurance. If so, you might want to join. Ask, because even some religious groups offer group health insurance.
Have you thought about signing up for an HMO or a PPO? Even though the savings can be huge, sometimes you have to stop seeing your regular doctor. This is more true with HMOs than with PPOs, but you don't always have to switch doctors. Ask your doctor if he or she is part of an HMO or is approved by a PPO.
Even if your spouse is the only person who works for your home business, you may be able to get group health insurance. Even if you can't get group insurance, you might be able to write off your individual insurance premiums on your taxes. Taking into account the money you'll save on taxes can make it possible for many people to pay for individual health insurance.
Don't use tobacco or chew. If you use tobacco products now, stop. If you used tobacco when you signed up for health insurance but have quit since then, let your agent know. Your monthly insurance premium could go down a lot if you do.
If you are overweight, your health insurance will cost more. Insurance companies have a sliding scale for premiums that is partly based on your body mass index (BMI) (Body Mass Index). The good news is that even a small drop in your BMI could move you down a notch on the insurance company's payment scale, which could save you hundreds of dollars a year on your insurance. Every pound you can lose is a good thing.
If you want to get cheap health insurance, don't do extreme sports or hobbies, and if you drive a fast sports car, stop.
How much do you have to pay when you go to the doctor? If you can pay a 50 percent co-pay, you will save a lot each month on your health insurance. This could help you save a lot of money if you don't see your doctor very often during the year.
Can you pay for your deductible to go up? Again, this is a very important question, and you should give it a lot of thought. Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay for your own medical care every year before your insurance company starts to pay. Don't say you'll pay more than you can afford to pay.
Now, go online and find 3 sites that let you compare the prices of different insurance companies' health plans. Using the tips in this article, fill out the form on at least three comparison websites with the same information. Then, just choose the best price you can find. That's how easy it is for people in Alabama to get cheap health insurance online.
