How To Save And Get Discount Health Insurance In West Virginia

For many people the idea of discount health insurance seems like science fiction. Health insurance costs have gotten so out of hand that fully 16% of all residents of West Virginia are without health insurance of any kind.

The good news is there are things you can do that could help reduce the cost of your health insurance. In other words, it is possible to save money and get discount health insurance in West Virginia.

Let's start with the hardest things to do first and get them out of the way. Just how serious are you about saving money and getting discount health insurance? Are you serious enough to change your lifestyle? Are you serious enough to stop smoking? Are you serious enough to give up chew - forever?

People who use tobacco products - in any form - do not qualify for the best rates on health insurance.

Unfortunately neither do people who are overweight. Losing weight is even more difficult for most people than quitting smoking, but if you are really serious about getting low cost health insurance you need to do whatever you can to lose at least a little weight.

Losing even a few pounds could drop you down a notch on your insurance company's Body Mass Index (BMI), and if you are fortunate enough for that to happen then you could be in for a nice savings each month on your health insurance.

Finding group health insurance could be the answer you're looking for. Group health insurance is often more willing to overlook weight and smoking issues. If your job does not offer low cost group health insurance see if any clubs, organizations or associations you or any friends or relatives belong to offer it. Sometimes even religious groups offer their members group health insurance. Ask everywhere.

Joining an HMO or a PPO could save you quite a bit over individual health insurance. Be prepared, however, for the possibility that you may have to give up your favorite doctor - unless your doctor is a member of the HMO or PPO you wish to join.

If you own your own business, even a small home-based business, it is possible that you could qualify for low cost group health insurance. In any case, ask your tax advisor if all or a portion of your premiums could be tax deductible. A tax savings could be another way of making your health insurance costs more affordable.

Don't take part in extreme or dangerous sports or hobbies. Also, if you drive a fast sports car you'll also pay more for your health insurance.

Eat well and exercise. Yes, that means cutting back - way back - on fast food and sugary junk foods. It also means setting aside some time each day to exercise. Exercise doesn't necessarily mean the latest TV infomercial fad, or signing up at a gym. Exercise could mean walking briskly around the mall every morning or biking to the grocery store and back.

Can you afford to increase your co-payment to 50% each time you see your doctor? For some people this may not be an option they can afford, but especially if you do not see your doctor on a regular basis, increasing your co-pay can be a great way to lower your monthly cost of health insurance.

How large of a deductible can you afford? If you can afford to pay more out of your own pocket each year for your health care before your insurance company starts kicking in, then you can save a bundle on your health insurance. Don't offer to pay more than you can afford, however.

Lastly, buying your health insurance over the internet can save you money as well. Use what you have learned from this article to fill out the forms on at least 3 different health insurance price comparisons websites, being careful to fill out all the forms in exactly the same way so your comparisons actually mean something.

Then simply choose the lowest-price you find. That's it. This is how you save money and get discount health insurance in West Virginia.

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