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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Health Insurance -- Issues That Drive Down Costs

By Chimezirim Odimba

An affordable rate can be achieved in many ways. But at the same time, a number of methods folks adopt in order to reduce cost usually make them get less than adequate coverage. I do NOT generally support such options as they rubbish the main purpose of insurance in the first place. Bearing this in mind, I'll only give you suggestions that will as well leave you well covered in spite of saving you much. Here they are...

Maintain an outstanding credit rating. Having a poor credit history is simply making difficult for yourself in addition to the fact that your premium will be much higher. For most insurers it is a pattern they believe you are quite likely to repeat with them in premium defaults. Once you are seen as a higher risk you'll attract higher rates.

Those who operate home businesses are given a special chance to save in some states. Those states make it mandatory that insurance providers offer home based businesses the same rates as they do other (larger) businesses.

In a number of states a home business is eligible for a group rate provided it has one employee.

You can have your wife/husband or older kid work as an employee. The good thing is that such a worker must not be full time for you to be eligible.

This will give your substantial savings because group rates are normally lower than individual rates.

To know if your state provides such or if your home business meets eligibility requirements, contact your state's department of insurance.

Premiums paid by self employed persons may be tax-deductible. If your employer offers a flexible spending account this may entitle you to a tax break. This implies that it's wise to talk with your tax professional. This will help you confirm what will entitle you to a tax break and what won't.

An HMO will will get you health insurance at a cheaper rate. They are usually more affordable than opting for traditional health insurance. With a lower cost comes restrictions in the doctors, health care professionals and hospitals you can use.

If what you think you compromise in the limited choices an HMO offers is much more than the advantages, you can still choose regular health insurance.

For such folks, cost can be slashed if they shop extensively for affordable rates in traditional health insurance. That's how you'd be able to get cheaper rates for standard health insurance.

But if in your case, you are willing to take the restrictions, then an HMO is a great option for slashing your spend.

Each year the government spends much in publishing guides and more. Even though these publications are free, you really should not be without them if you want to ensure you're receiving the best in health care and insurance. They'll give you information that will help you position yourself to save much and as well take the right safety measures. Once these happen, you'll get cheaper rates.

Are you aware of the fact that your co-pay could be more expensive than the cost of your drugs? It may also not be less expensive for you to buy a prescription from your own account (without using insurance). In those cases, you will spend less by choosing the routes that offer you better savings.


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