February 23, 2012

Saving Money on Health Insurance

Many people get health care from their employer, but if you don’t receive it that way it can be difficult to find health care at an affordable price. There is expected to be a 10 percent rise in costs for the average individual payer, and the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that the average individual employee will pay $694, or $3,281 if they are buying family coverage. Whether you’re an employee with a health package or someone without a plan at all, it might be a good idea to seek out a cheaper alternative. Thankfully, there are a few tips to help in your search.

If you are healthy, you might consider increasing your out-of-pocket costs in exchange for smaller monthly premiums, as you may save money in the long run if you need to make few doctor’s visits anyway. Insurance might be best used toward a catastrophe of some kind. Looking for other private or state-run health insurance plans can also be a good way to find a cheaper plan, even if you currently have a plan through an employer. By that token, many employers actually offer more than one plan, so it may be worth looking at your employer’s options and seeing if they offer one that works better for you.

Simply getting healthier is also a way to cut down costs in many cases. Some employers, like Pepsico, actually charge more in health insurance premiums to employees who smoke. As well, many employers have begun offering financial incentives for employees to take health assessment tests or meet at least once with a health coach. Just one of many ways to save money on your health insurance costs.