How to Get Afforable Health Insurance for My Family

Health insurance costs are increasing and it can be difficult to find an affordable policy for your whole family. It is important to shop around and compare health insurance options and coverage. Additionally, you may need to consider purchasing different policies for different members of your family to find the best price with good coverage. For example, if one family member has a pre-existing condition, it can make the price of the entire policy go up, but putting them on a separate policy can save you money.

Instructions

• 1

  Check to see if you qualify for a health insurance plan through your work. This is a group plan, and will offer the best rates if you have pre-existing conditions. Additionally, your employer may pick up some of the costs associated with the plan.

• 2

  Obtain quotes for independent health insurance plans from a local insurance agent or online. When looking at individual plans, compare co-payments, deductibles and coinsurance amounts. These are the percentages you have to pay to have procedures done, as well as the out-of-pocket maximum.

• 3

  Look at any plans you qualify for if you are a student. Most colleges offer a very basic health insurance plan for students to purchase. They also allow you to add family members to the plan for an extra cost.

• 4

  Consider getting high deductible health insurance if you are healthy. This health insurance has a deductible over $1000.00, but will completely cover any expenses once you reach the deductible. You can open a Health Savings Account (HSA) with this plan that allows you to save for medical expenses tax free.

• 5

  Apply for Medicaid or Medicare if you meet the income limits for your state. This insurance is usually free, though you may have an enrollment fee and small co-payments for some government insurance plans.