HEALTH INSURANCE 
HEADLINE ARTICLE

HEALTH INSURANCE: A GUIDE TO SHOPPING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

Health insurance has become an essential part of our everyday life. At one time, doctors made house calls and worked one-on-one with the patients. At that time health insurance was not needed because the cost of health care was affordable. Often in rural areas the doctor would take chickens or other items in trade - from those who could not pay cash.  This was their health insurance.

Health Insurance came about later.  As medical technology advanced so did the cost to provide these new services to the public. As doctors and hospitals had to raise their treatment rates, they realized that the average person wouldn't be able to afford the increased costs. The focus was not so much your welfare but being able to get paid. After-all, providing health services is a for-profit business like any other business. Thus was born health insurance.

With health insurance, the "sticker-shock" was no longer an issue. You would pay a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee for your health insurance - all the premiums would go into a fund and pay out for those who needed it. Similar to our social security program today. And you, as the patient, were not so concerned with the cost of the treatment you needed because "the insurance company was paying it, not you ".

Health insurance was a great invention - especially for the health care industry. Now they could raise their prices at will with very little protest from the public. And they were pretty much assured of getting paid and in a timely manner.

A patient may have a small co-pay - perhaps $20 on a $200 bill - so they weren't too concerned with the higher and higher price of health care procedures. I remember in the 60's questioning a high price for a health procedure and being told "you have health insurance - the health insurance company will pay it - what do you care?".

Well, we do care today because the health care industry has become quite a large money-gulping monster. The health insurance premiums have become a real financial burden on individuals and businesses alike. It seems to be out of control. The average health insurance premium per month for a family quite often exceeds their monthly home AND car payment combined. Many companies that used to provide excellent health insurance benefits for their employees are now not able to do so.

To be fair, the health care facilities, and thus health insurance companies, have seen their costs go through the roof also. Just as a computer becomes obsolete soon after purchase, so does technologically advanced medical equipment. We can continue to use an obsolete computer but in the medical industry the patients demand the latest and greatest. This forces the hospitals to continually invest in the newest equipment for which the inventor and manufacturer can charge just about any amount they want.

Lawsuits have driven health insurance costs up also. So many folks are looking for an opportunity for "early retirement" if they can find some reason to sue the hospital or doctor. And the outrageous multi-million dollar settlements cause the need for medical people to carry mal-practice liability insurance. And, believe it or not, even the health insurance companies are now buying insurance to cover themselves. What is known as a vicious circle.

How can we survive with this health insurance dilemma today?  Here are six ways - you may think of more.

1. Take on more of the small bills yourself. Purchase a health insurance policy with higher deductibles. The small clinic visits will not hurt you - it's the big surgeries that will break you.

2. Consider using a health insurance company that offers preferred providers. The health insurance company will negotiate lower prices with willing hospitals, clinics, and doctors ahead of time. Then the health insurance companies can offer you lower rates for using these health providers. The medical providers benefit because the health insurance company will send them a lot more business than they might get on their own.
 
3. Be a shrewd shopper. Shop around even if you currently have a health insurance policy. Continually compare prices and coverages. This is a fast changing and VERY competitive market today. The health insurance companies are literally fighting over your business. Use this fact to your advantage.

4. Support "lawsuit caps" with your state and federal representatives. It's time to put a stop to those greedy people who want to become a millionaire on your health insurance money.

5. Buy only what you absolutely need. And stay away from those little health insurance policies that have so many restrictions that they are virtually worthless. Little accident policies that sound great but only pay "if the stars are in line" at the time of the accident. This is not recommended HEALTH INSURANCE.

6. Most importantly - live your life in a healthy fashion so you don't need to visit the doctor. Read up on home remedies and other self-help medical information. Bottom line is - the healthier you become, the less you will need health services. View health insurance as a secondary financial protection. Prevention is, without a doubt, your cheapest, most affordable health insurance.

7. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE HEALTH INSURANCE QUOTES AT TOP OF PAGE.  These will give you instant comparison between companies and policies.  You're the winner because these companies are fighting over you're business.  DO IT NOW.