| l the different kinds of insurance that the majority of | | | | Can you find a group health insurance plan you can |
| people are faced with buying, health insurance has | | | | join? If one isn't offered through your work try |
| become one of the least affordable. In fact, fully 16% | | | | checking with any organizations or associations or |
| of all West Virginia residents report that they can no | | | | clubs that you or anyone you know belongs to. Lots of |
| longer afford to pay for health insurance at all. | | | | clubs and organizations offer their members low-cost |
| Let's hope you're not among that 16%. With any luck | | | | group health insurance. |
| we'll find ways in this article for you to lower the cost | | | | If you have a home-based business it's possible you |
| of your health insurance to the point where it no longer | | | | can qualify for group rates no matter how small your |
| makes you sick just to pay your monthly premium. | | | | business is. But in any event you should ask your tax |
| Eating healthy and developing a healthy lifestyle should | | | | advisor if there is any way to make your premium |
| be one of your first goals. The fewer times you have | | | | payments at least partly tax deductible. A tax |
| to see a doctor each year the less you'll pay for | | | | deduction could make your health insurance much |
| health care. Cut out fried foods, cut fast food down to | | | | more affordable. |
| no more than once or twice a week. | | | | Pay your premium automatically from your checking |
| Get at least a little exercise. Walk around the block or | | | | account. If your insurance company does not have to |
| join a group that walks in the Mall every morning. Ride | | | | bill you every month there is a small savings to you. |
| a bike or swim half a dozen laps every day. Some | | | | Don't take part in any organized extreme sports and |
| exercise is better than no exercise and will help to | | | | don't drive a fast sports car. |
| keep you out of your doctor's office. | | | | Review your deductible. If you can afford to increase |
| Speaking of doctor's offices, can you afford to | | | | your deductible then you'll pay less each month for |
| increase your co-payment to 50%? If you can this will | | | | your health insurance. But don't increase your |
| save you money each month on your premium. | | | | deductible any more than you can honestly afford to |
| Increasing your co-pay is an especially good idea for | | | | pay. |
| people who do not see their doctor on a regular basis. | | | | Finally, buy your health insurance online. Don't make the |
| Don't smoke and don't use chew. You already know | | | | mistake of just looking at the results of one health |
| the facts. If you smoke or use chew you will pay more | | | | insurance price comparison website. If you really want |
| for your health insurance than you will if you don't. If | | | | to find the lowest health insurance rate available in |
| you're truly serious about getting the best rates on | | | | West Virginia then you'll need to take the extra time to |
| health insurance in West Virginia then you'll stop | | | | make price comparisons on a minimum of 3 different |
| smoking. | | | | websites. |
| The same goes for your weight. Insurance companies | | | | Also, it is important that you enter the same |
| use what they call a Body Mass Index (or BMI) to help | | | | information into the form on all 3 websites so you are |
| determine how much of a premium you'll pay for your | | | | comparing the same health insurance policy each time. |
| health insurance. The good news is that if you can | | | | But once you've taken the time to make comparisons |
| shed even a few pounds you might drop down on | | | | on 3 different sites then your work is done. Just look |
| your insurance company's BMI scale. If you can drop | | | | at the results and choose the lowest-priced policy. This |
| down even one or two notches it could potentially | | | | is really all you need to do in order to get the best |
| save you hundreds of dollars a year. | | | | rates on health insurance in West Virginia. |