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Are you ready for the Health Care Crisis? Part 3 – Final Thoughts

So far we have covered some important things to consider when choosing or designing your health care plan.  In addition to figuring out networks, deductibles and co-pays, there are several underlying themes that transcend most every health insurance plan.  These simple guidelines, over the long run, will help you keep health insurance costs under control and keep stress at bay.

1. Utilize your plan properly:  by using your plan properly, it will save you out of pocket expenses and time.

a. Emergency rooms are for exactly that…emergencies

i. Don’t use them as your primary entry for treatment

ii. It should be a last resort

iii. Urgent care clinics work well and cost less, some are open weekends

b. Plan ahead with testing and lab work

c. Understand how your deductible/co-pays/coinsurance works

2. Check all your plan options: you may be able to get better coverage or a better premium by exploring what is available to you.

a. Could an individual plan cost you less?

b. The rates at your spouse’s company plan may be lower than yours

c. What programs are available for my children?

3. Be SMART with your health: there are just too many things that are well within your control that will help your premiums and general medical costs stay lower over time.  I’m not a nutritionist or doctor…but it’s hard to argue with the potential impact these can have on your overall health:

a. Proper Diet/Nutrition (this can’t be stressed enough)

b. Drinking the right fluids to stay hydrated

c. Avoid overexposure to the sun

d. Quitting that nasty tobacco habit

This concludes our series of the coming health care crisis.  We hope you have enjoyed this article and found some tips that will help you save money.  Please come back from time to time for more information on a wide variety of topics.

As a co-founder of Chappell, Mayfield & Associates, Charles assists countless individuals and businesses in achieving financial independence with appropriate insurance and financial products.

Charles launched his financial planning career as an agent at Prudential Financial in 1997, where he was a three-time Million Dollar Round Table member and a nominee to the first Prudential Field Advisory Council.

Charles holds the CFP® designation, as well as the CLU and CLTC designations. He has a B.S. in Management from Georgia Tech.

Just as Charles is committed to his clients’ financial well-being, he also takes an avid interest in benefiting his community. He is Past President and current member of the Board of Directors of Jerusalem House, on the Board of Councilors at The Carter Center, and a member of the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. At Prudential Financial, he served as chair of the Prudential Connection Atlanta Outreach Program.

Charles has lived in Atlanta since 1992 and has a son Dylan.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-finance-articles/are-you-ready-for-the-health-care-crisis-part-3-final-thoughts-917701.html

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May 15th, 2009 | Category: Personal Finance | Comments Off
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