Affordable Health Insurance
A few years ago a woman, then a public school teacher, was in a car accident that left her crushed from the waist down and without the the use of her arms and hands. Over the course of the following year, she underwent 12 operations, hours of physical therapy and received a seemingly endless amount of pain medication. In the end, her medical bill exceeded $800,000-- an incredible sum. But because she had an affordable family health insurance plan already in place, she walked away, when she finally could again, nearly debt free.
This story is an extreme example of the real-life benefits of having family or individual health insurance. She was lucky that her school system paid for part of her insurance fees each month, making her insurance all the more affordable. But having health insurance is intrinsic to good health in general, helping to prevent everything from everyday colds to early detection of major diseases. Even if your job doesn't provide or subsidize a insurance plan, it's still possible to find affordable health insurance plans whether you’re looking for individual, family or student coverage plans. All it takes is a little research. Below, we've listed some steps to take in your initial search for affordable health care.
- First-- take a look at your personal financial budget. Determine how much you can safely put toward a monthly insurance premium and what kinds of coverage you and your family will need. Decide if cutting other costs-- like cable, eating out twice a week, or an extra car payment-- would be put to better use by providing an affordable health care plan for you and your family.
- If you find that your budget simply doesn't allow for the extra strain of a health care premium, then go to your state's Department of Human Services and ask them to determine if you do, indeed, fall below the poverty line in your state. You may qualify for free or adjusted healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
- If you are able to afford an insurance plan, then begin by researching the kinds of policies, available to you selecting one that meets your needs, whatever they be. Learn the terms involved in insurance plans and how payment is structured. Take a look at our glossary for a detailed list of terms.
- When you're ready, begin shopping for your insurance plan online. You can find free, fast and detailed affordable health insurance quotes on websites like HealthInsurance.com or QuickQuote.com. Be sure to look at all the options before you commit.
And remember: though it may mean making certain adjustments to your lifestyle and budget, finding a comprehensive, affordable health insurance plan is an investment with instant and long term results.