Health Care and Health Insurance Costs Can Be Controlled Through Lifestyle Choices

As you probably know all to well, the cost of healthcare and health insurance premiums continue to increase at levels substantially above the general inflation rate. The reasons given for these extraordinary cost increases are numerous and include: technological advancements in the medical field, increased demand for medical services and prescription drugs, the aging of the population, cost shifting caused by the uninsured and governmental reimbursement rates, state and federal mandates, and costs associated with medical related lawsuits.

As individual consumers, we have very little control over some of the factors contributing to the cost of healthcare. However, all of us have control over lifestyle related health insurance claims. A simple formula of eating a balanced diet, getting the appropriate amount of daily exercise, participating in annual physicals and other recommended routine care, limiting alcohol consumption, and eliminating the use of tobacco products will no doubt reduce our personal healthcare costs. In addition to reducing medical costs, the other benefits of following such a formula include more energy, self confidence, less stress, and increased productivity. If you are not doing so already, I encourage you to consider practical ways to promote a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. For example, one of the individual health insurance companies my organization works with has an option that will offset 25% of the annual cost of a health club membership. Simple things such as taking a walk, bike ride, or going swimming promote both a healthy body and mind. If you have a sweet tooth, consider limiting yourself to eating desert once a week. You will enjoy it more and your body will thank you.

Health insurance premiums will continue to increase as long as the cost of healthcare continues to go up. The best way to reduce the overall cost of healthcare is to decrease our need for healthcare. Healthy lifestyle choices and prudent use of the healthcare system are the best and easiest ways to get a handle on our healthcare expenditures. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a healthy lifestyle is our ability to enjoy our precious time here on earth to the fullest.

Michael Ertel is the President of Ertel & Company, Inc. and has over 15 years of experience in the health insurance business. He is the founder of MedicalInsuranceNow.com which is an internet based service that assists individuals, families, and small business owners by providing side by side comparisons of health insurance alternatives and the convenience of applying for health coverage online.

---

Finding Auto Insurance Comprehensive Coverage

You can go online to easily find and quote auto... Read More

Filing An Insurance Claim

Everything seemed pretty simple when you purchased that insurance policy.... Read More

The Many Benefits of Travel Protection Plans

Many people purchase insurance thinking I want full coverage and... Read More

Insurance in Northern Ireland: Historic Difficulties

No doubt most readers will have heard of the Northern... Read More

Home Insurance Rates in Northern Ireland

A recent survey took the most popular type of home... Read More

Insurance For The Self Employed And Those Seeking Health Insurance

First of all, congratulations on deciding to go out and... Read More

Health Savings Account (HSA): Useful for Women in Childbearing Years?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that... Read More

What to Look for in Good Health Insurance

Health insurance is a kind of protection that provides payment... Read More

Individual Health Insurance Plans - How To Find The Best Provider Online

Whether you are self-employed or a small business owner, finding... Read More

Useful Tips on Reducing Insurance Costs

Most people want lower insurance costs but are often too... Read More

Home Insurance Terms

Home insurance, or even homeowners insurance, is an insurance policy... Read More

Car Insurance Quotes Online ? Why You Should Use the Internet to Find a New Insurance Company

Before the internet, you picked a neighborhood car insurance agent,... Read More

Health Savings Account (HSA): How Do I Invest It?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that... Read More

Shopping Options for Auto Insurance

Shopping for car insurance can be a big undertaking. It... Read More

Car Insurance Monitoring for Discounted Insurance Rates - Privacy Devouring Monster Eating Us One Bi

For a price, would you let car insurer along for... Read More

Insurance Claim - Medical Insights And Expenses

There's nothing that has a greater impact on evaluating a... Read More

What Is Meant By Automobile Insurance Standard Coverage?

Automobile insurance standard coverage is the basic amount of insurance... Read More

Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of... Read More

Term Life Insurance - Buy Term and Invest the Difference!

The phrase "BUY TERM AND INVEST THE DIFFERENCE" evolves around... Read More

Can I Really Get Life Insurance, No Exam Required?

Changing the way that life insurance is bought and sold... Read More

Canadian Funeral Insurance: Our Final Gift to Those We Love

Most of us don't like thinking about our own funerals,... Read More

Health Savings Accounts

Most people with health insurance, especially employer paid health insurance,... Read More

The Life Insurance Quote Business is Booming, but is the Insurance Quote Accurate?

The life insurance quote business online is booming. Not only... Read More

Health and Dental Insurance Quotes - Applying Online

Since 2001, large health and dental insurance companies such as... Read More

Life Insurance Careers

Do you like to spend all day being sitting around?... Read More

Auto Insurance Rates

Auto insurance rates will vary depending on the insurance agency,... Read More

Life Insurance Basics

One of the most important things you can do as... Read More

Insure Your House

When we talk about insurance the thing you have to... Read More

Talking to Your Parents About Insurance

Who can you talk to about auto insurance? Insurance agents... Read More

Long-Term Care Insurance: Eldercare Solution

When I suddenly had to become a fulltime caregiver to... Read More

Insurance Credit Scoring: An Ethical Issue

The issue at hand is the use of a consumer's... Read More

Insurance and The Engineer

The world is no longer right when the two words,... Read More

Filing Auto Insurance Claims: The Basic Steps to Take

An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone,... Read More