| |
| |
|
|
Insurance Information |
|
10 Tips to Save on Healthcare Insurance
Americans shopping for their own healthcare insurance can substantially cut premiums by following 10 simple steps, according to leading insurers. Answer Financial Inc. (http://www.answerfinancial.com), cites the following cost-saving measures: Comparison shop You can save money by comparison shopping and exploring various options such as higher deductibles. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium. Comparison shopping also allows you to determine the best cost-benefit value. For example, many plans cap coverage for serious illness so premiums may be lower than one with a high cap. Always compare benefits, deductibles and premiums and if you have a preferred physician, make sure that he or she is a participant in your plan. Practice preventive care Work out a schedule of preventive health screenings with your physician that are appropriate for your age and gender. Private screening companies offer a series of tests at low prices that can show if you need more intense screenings. The lower your medical bills, the lower your premiums will be, but don't skimp on the basics. Take an active role in health care decisions Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor and participate actively in your care. Every test and drug has some risk involved, and some tests may be defensive medicine. Ask what will happen if you choose not to take a drug or have a test. Your doctor may be able to suggest alternatives that are less risky and costly. Avoid hospitalization whenever possible Over half of all health care costs are for hospitalizations. Consider outpatient services or same day surgery as alternatives to hospitalization. Today there are more and better alternatives to surgery; always do your research before any major medical procedure. Understand health risks Good lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and consumption of vegetables and fruits, have proven to make a huge positive difference on health even when started in older years. Choices such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, and poor nutrition contribute to a higher risk for health problems. Contribute to employer sponsored healthcare savings account (HSA) These tax-protected accounts of up to $10,000 annually can cover everything from the cost of band-aids to co-payments on doctor visits. HSA's can be established by employers that only offer high-deductible healthcare insurance ($1,000 and over). HSA legislations went into effect last year and more employers are expected to set these up as a way to decrease insurance costs and offer a tax benefit for their employees. Know what your medical benefits cover Carefully study the medical benefits of various plans and always compare before you purchase. If you have a managed care plan, know about the plan's grievance procedure and use it if you don't feel you are getting adequate care. - do not be afraid to ask questions Save the emergency room for emergencies Emergency room charges can be much more costly than a doctor's visit. These visits will also drive up your premium. Check your hospital and doctor bills carefully Billing errors are a common occurrence. Notify your hospital and health plan promptly when errors are found. Try home remedies first Eight out of 10 health problems can be treated at home. Make sure you have good first aid equipment on hand such as antibiotic cream and various size bandages. When you feel a cold coming on, try rest and over-the-counter treatments. By doing a good job of self-care, you can lower your health care costs by reducing doctor visits. For more information, go to http://www.answerfinancial.com. Steve Kroll is senior vice president of marketing at Answer Financial, Inc. (http://www.answerfinancial.com). An acknowledged expert in consumer marketing, he has more than 17 years of experience as an executive in the financial services industry including six as president of his own consulting firm, The Kroll Group, Inc., which specialized in retail financial products and payment systems. Its client base included affinity groups, Fortune 500 companies, management consulting firms and advertising agencies. Kroll's marketing accomplishments include developing insurance and investment product offerings for Charles Schwab, Citibank, Household International and The Signature Group. He also has created multiple-useage incentive and retention programs for some of the nation's leading credit card issuers and developed new lifestyle-and affinity-related credit cards that delivered an above-average response and usage rate. Kroll has also assisted in the development and marketing of Internet-based financial services for Wells Fargo, NYCE and American Skandia.
MORE RESOURCES:
Insurance - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Why Does Health Insurance Cost So Much? Why does health insurance cost so much? Year after year, many of the articles that appear in print detail the specific factors driving the cost of healthcare.These factors include: general inflation, advances in drugs and other medical devices, rising hospital and doctor expenses, government mandates, increased consumer demand, litigation, fraud, and cost shifting. Life Insurance Leads, Insurance Leads, and the Online Lead Generation Business I've long wanted to write an article about Internet Leads (Life Insurance Leads, Health Insurance Leads, Homeowner's Insurance Leads, etc) and why they are a waste of money, time, and a drain on the Insurance Industry. Thank you ezinearticles for this powerful resource in communication!Insurance Agents all over the USA are getting solicitations every single day for one new lead program or another. What Is Meant By Automobile Insurance Standard Coverage? Automobile insurance standard coverage is the basic amount of insurance coverage that is required by law in order for an individual to legally operate a motorized vehicle. You can simply it even further with the blanket statement as being the mandatory amount of auto insurance coverage a driver must possess. Health Insurance Options for Entrepreneurs One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is health insurance coverage. It is also the single most costly expense for self-employed entrepreneurs. Affordable Insurance Quotes To Save You Money! Whether you're looking for insurance quotes for auto, life, travel or health you can find some great rates on the internet. Insurance quotes coverage can provide peace of mind and also financial coverage in the event that something untoward happens. The Ups and Downs of Temporary Health Insurance If you're a recent college graduate, or in between jobs, temporary health insurance may be just what you are looking for. As the name suggests, this short term health plan covers from one month up to a full year. Health and Dental Insurance Quotes - Applying Online Since 2001, large health and dental insurance companies such as BlueCross and GE Financial have offered health insurance online. As a result, individuals and small business owners have more options when purchasing insurance. Inexpensive Life Insurance To Protect What You've Earned Adequate life insurance to cover your income producing ability is a product that is really needed today to give peace of mind. Life insurance was originally conceived to protect a man's family when his death left them without income. Terrorism Insurance - What it Costs Small Business The Terrorism Insurance Act of Nov. 26, 2002. Insurance: A Necessity for Peace of Mind There are many choices for insurance. Insurance is a policy where you pay in a certain figure, that you do not usually get back, and pays out in the event of a certain situation. How to Shop for Individual Health Insurance If you find yourself in the position of shopping for an individual health insurance policy, there are certain things you'll want to keep in mind. Whether you are coming out of a job that covered you before, or are at the end of your COBRA benefits, or simply have never had coverage before there are things you can do to get coverage on yourself and your loved ones. Check Out The Variety of Auto Insurance Texas Style They say everything is bigger and better in Texas, and this is true when you look at the wide variety of different auto insurance companies offering auto insurance. Texas drivers have to consider four main options when they choose an auto insurance company. Insurance Glossary of Terms Assured - Those insured under the terms of an insurance policy.Benefit - The money paid to the policyholder when a claim is made. Home Insurance Terms Home insurance, or even homeowners insurance, is an insurance policy that combines insurance on the home, its contents, loss of the use of the home (additional living expenses) and, typically, the more individual possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that can transpire at the home.The cost of homeowners insurance scales upward depending on what it would cost to replenish the home, and which extra "riders", meaning extra items to be insured, are bound to the policy. The Surety Bond Domino Effect I have written many articles about the hard surety bond market. To my surprise many want to know more details as to how we got to where we are at. What to Look for in Good Health Insurance Health insurance is a kind of protection that provides payment of benefits for covered sickness or injury. Included in health insurance are various types of insurance such as accident insurance, disability income insurance, medical expense insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Health Savings Accounts Most people with health insurance, especially employer paid health insurance, really don't know what their health care costs are. Furthermore, in many cases, they are limited in which health providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies etc) they can use. Hidden Ways to Cut Car Insurance Consumers are countering rising gasoline prices and other vehicle operating costs by capitalizing on lower auto insurance rates, according to leading insurers.Auto policy costs and regulations vary significantly from state to state, but there are a number of areas that consumers are able to control and adjust to optimize prices and quality. UK Young Driver Motor Insurance - Build Your Own No Claims Bonus or Insure through Your Parents For may young drivers, affording the costs of motor insurance is an issue. With first time insurance costs running to several thousands of pounds in some instances, it is no wonder that younger motorits are looking for ways to keep premiums down. Ever Wondered What An Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster Does? An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company with whom you purchase a policy. Some insurance companies use independent adjusters so that they get an unbiased report.
|
||||||||||||||||
