Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Information on Health Insurance

By Ed Hulse


Certainly one of the most debated issues of today is health insurance. Many people have seen premiums increase to the point where having coverage for them and their families has become more and more difficult. Given the fact that there is continued uncertainty as to the direction of medical coverage plans, many people are doing the best they can to operate within the current system in order to maximize coverage and control costs.

Patients are finding out more and more that there are savings for those that establish a healthy lifestyle. Insurers may reduce premiums for people that are able to keep things like cholesterol and glucose measurements in check without the use of medication. Regular health screenings such as lab tests are typically cheaper than many other appointments where prescriptions are given, for example.

Furthermore, doctors and nurses in concert with insurers promote improved diet and regular activity. Many providers first send patients, young and old, to educational classes on how to improve health with proper eating habits and increased levels of activities. The end result, studies have shown, is a dramatic reduction in doctor visits, which results in lower costs to the patient.

Many people, in an effort to trim costs, will change the type of coverage they have. They may, for instance, pay for a certain amount of annual medical costs. Once they reach a certain accumulated amount paid, the insurance will activate and pay for further medical needs for that calendar year. The idea is to reduce monthly payments, but be protected in the event of a serious illness or medical need.

Other strategies may involve finding different coverage's for different family members. Some families may qualify for reduced rate coverage for children, for example. The parents then have to find a different insurer for their health coverage. Much of this depends on one's annual income and on local or regional programs that may or may not be available.

Most insurers will separate dental and medical coverage. But generally preventative care is the least costly solution. Many plans will be arranged in such a way so as to make regular checkups and cleanings relatively affordable. As with medical coverage, healthy dental habits are typically rewarded by minimizing the number of costly visits. This will allow lower payments per visit, regular check ups and great habits.

Regardless of the uncertainty of the future of health insurance, there are obviously measures that one can take to reduce monthly expenses and overall expenses. Changing or modifying habits can make a lot of difference in terms of both patient healthiness and patient expense. Though people continue to debate the merits of the current system, knowing how to work within the same system can make a world of difference.




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