Getting Independent Health Insurance

There are millions of Americans who don't have health insurance for a number of reasons. Job layoffs, part-time jobs, and changes in company policy are all reasons for the lack of health insurance in the country, but as the uninsured increase in numbers, so do the diseases and conditions that require medical attention. Here are some of the best ways to get affordable health insurance no matter what your financial status is.

Do your research. So, your employer doesn't offer health insurance-this doesn't mean that you and your family are out of options if you ever need to go to the hospital. You can apply for health insurance from most major companies on your own, and you may even be able to get discounts if you are looking to insure your children for school, or have a certain number of household members that you are responsible for. It is important, however, for you to thoroughly review the terms and conditions associated with each health insurance policy. If you need a considerable amount of dental coverage, be sure to purchase a plan that does not charge extra for trips to the orthodontist. If you know that you will need to visit the OB/GYN wing of the hospital often due to a pregnancy, make sure that the medications and services you will need will not become more expensive because of the plan you've chosen.

Create your own health care plan. "The number of people without health insurance coverage increased from 44.8 million in 2005 to 47 million in 2006," said David S. Johnson, chief of the bureau's Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division. This is a huge drop, and if people have the freedom to create their own health care plans, they will be able to save money, instead of wasting it on services they may not need. Parents should especially be concerned about customizing a health care plan for their children, since young people seem to suffer the most from a lack of health insurance: "The problems of the uninsured are particularly acute among children. The percent and the number of children under 18 without health insurance increased to 11.7 percent from 10.9 percent from 2005 to 2006, and to 8.7 million from 8 million, respectively." (HealthDay, 2007).

You can work with independent companies to get private health insurance, such as Independent Health, a company based in Buffalo, New York. The company serves as a network for health care professionals, families, and even employers. The latest health care information is shared, as well as advice for getting the best family health plans. Private health insurance companies such as Assurant are also ideal, especially if you will only need the coverage for a short amount of time before starting a new job or waiting for your HR department to finalize any plans when it comes to switching health insurance companies. You can get policies that are as short as six months, and you can increase your plans for a year or two depending on your needs. This is also a great idea if you're heading up a small company or work for yourself.

Keep your family healthy. An annual doctor's visit, in addition to appointments that you or family members may need for special health concerns should help to cut your health insurance bill down considerably. However, keeping your family in the best health is one of the best ways to make sure that you can afford your health insurance. Try organizing exercise times for you and your family, and do something creative like going hiking or playing a sport together. And, watch your family's diet as well-conditions such as heart disease and childhood obesity are definitely contributing to the high cost of medical coverage, and making good dietary choices will not only keep your health care costs down, but will preserve the quality of life for your family as well.

For more information on affordable health insurance for any situation, visit www.assuranthealth.com or www.academyhealth.org.