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.

---

What is Home Insurance?

Home Insurance is designed to provide you with financial protection... Read More

An Intro To Life Insurance

There are many options available for life insurance, and for... Read More

Guide to Home Insurance

Here is a useful guide to Home Insurance. Home insurance... Read More

UK House Insurance - The Risk of Under-insurance

For many years in the UK, motor insurance has been... Read More

Insurance Claim: Collecting Your Lost Wages

A couple months ago you were toolin' on down the... Read More

Mortgage Insurance Plans: How Good Is Yours?

Mortgage insurance, to pay off a mortgage, is something you'll... Read More

An Introduction to UK Home Insurance

Unlike motor cover, home insurance is not a legal requirement... Read More

Give Your Auto Policy a Tune-Up

When you originally purchased your auto insurance policy, you purchased... Read More

Disability Insurance For The Long Term

Disability insurance covers you for an extended period of time.... Read More

Types of Homeowner Insurance

There are 6 different types of homeowners insurance in general... Read More

How to Reduce Home Insurance Premiums

Here are some useful tips on how to reduce Home... Read More

Risk Retention Groups RRG

In response to a hard insurance market in the mid... Read More

Health Insurance Providers Online - Benefits to Applying Online

Health insurance providers are going online to find new customers.... Read More

Gain An Advantage Over Your Competition By Controlling The Cost Of Your Health Insurance

As many of us expect, the New Year will bring... Read More

Why Would I Need Auto Insurance Specialists?

If you do not understand the way that auto insurance... Read More

Car Insurance No Claims Bonus Explained

No Claims Bonus is a term used to describe the... Read More

What Does Buildings Insurance Cover?

You will find that your lender will insist that you... Read More

Insurance Providers Weather the Storm While Consumers Flounder

We have just had the first year's anniversary of the... Read More

Life Settlements, More than a Cash Surrender Payout

With a life insurance settlement, seniors now have the ability... Read More

What Price For Your Health?

How do you put a value good health? For many... Read More

What is Life Insurance?

Life Insurance is an insurance policy that provides an agreed... Read More

Cure The Insurance Blues By Lowering The Cost of Your Premiums

Does the current amount that you pay on your insurance... Read More

Disaster Decision - Do You Need Insurance?

The expenses involved with owning a home can be overwhelming... Read More

Accident Factoids

Accidents, personal injuries and insurance claims are here to stay.... Read More

Cheap Health Insurance - Health Insurance for The Self Employed

If you're self employed, you may think of health insurance... Read More