How to Find Affordable Health Insurance

Use these tips to find a health plan that meets your needs and your budget.

Step 1: Check state laws
Become familiar with the health insurance laws in your state. Type the name of your state and "health insurance laws" into a search engine to find the appropriate government web site.

Step 2: Check out group rates
Check out policies that trade associations offer; they often have lower rates. But make sure you're contacting a reputable trade group. Some lure in members with low premiums that jump up in a year or two.

Tip
If you're self-employed, see if your state offers group rates to businesses with just a few employees.

Step 3: Comparison shop

Step 4: Read the fine print
Buyer beware: Some policies offer only "limited benefits," a distinction that's not apparent unless you read the fine print.

Tip
Three-quarters of Americans who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems had health insurance.

Step 5: Go for a high deductible
Consider a high deductible. Depending on the size of your family and your medical situation, it may be cheaper to hold health insurance primarily for a catastrophic illness or injury rather than for regular office visits.

Tip
Find out if you can open a health savings account, which lets you put money in an interest-bearing account that can be withdrawn, tax-free, for medical expenses your insurance doesn't cover.

Step 6: Protect your children
Protect your children by calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW for information on low-cost – or even free – health insurance for children 18 years and younger. Each state has its own program for low-income families, and eligibility rules vary.

Step 7: Look into Medicaid
If your income is very low, find out if you're eligible for Medicaid by contacting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Step 8: Apply for Medicare
If you're 65 years or older, apply for the federal health insurance program known as Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Did You Know?
In some states, people who work 25 hours per week qualify for the health benefits of a full-time employee.

[lifeinsurancessydney]

It's so very important for people to know about these types of cover, including Life Insurance, Disability Insurance and Income Protection Insurance - Keep up the good work!

[msboku]

@pboisei No. It's Great, It's not health Ins it's Financial Aid.

[msboku]

If you can't get health ins, ask the hospitals. You can get financial aid based on your income

[maricdav]

in my country health insurance is free :)

[crapwithoutrap]

i know america is awsoem and im from germany too but i think healthcare is the biggest problem over there and i think it would suck to die in a hosptital just cause u got no insurance

[dimviesel]

@Torchic956 healthcare may be free but how good are canadian doctors? are they happy with their pay or do they dread working. i cant have some miserable underpaid doctor working on me or my family. a well paid doctor is a happy one. im gonna do more research on canadian healthcare statistics. i have heard nothing but good things so far

[Gaobdgao]

@crapwithoutrap

I think America is the only country that doesn't have FREE GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE....even the poorest country got some kind of free health care...

[Gaobdgao]

@ny89mike

have you worked for Time warner cable company yet?

Free health insurance, free gas, free cable (1000+ channel for free) and not to mention with no experience they will start you off with 14$+ and hour...Every six months you get raise...I bet Comcast is even better....

[Torchic]

Health Care is free here in Canada! So get off your butt and move up here if you want cheap Health Care!

[BensBoringVideos]

huh...? I think you mis-read my 2 year old post that I don't even remember making. Anyway I'm an advocate for universal health care in the USA, not against it.

[gamewarrior]

I thought the answer was move to Mexico.

[hauskalainen]

Step 1 Move to Europe

err... that's it

[GuEnavEre]

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. "had" health insurance. Your kind of people make me sick! People have a chance to prevent life threatening disease but you will refuse to help them.

[kimistirednow]

@titosuave21


hey look what youtube does now!...how bofusing i liked it when it just put it under the coment you repolied too. damn them.

anyways

if republicans would quit trying to stop obama through every step, we would.