RBC Insurance Advisor

Health Care and Health Insurance Costs Can Be Controlled Through Lifestyle Choices


As you probably know all to well, the cost of healthcare and health insurance premiums continue to increase at levels substantially above the general inflation rate. The reasons given for these extraordinary cost increases are numerous and include: technological advancements in the medical field, increased demand for medical services and prescription drugs, the aging of the population, cost shifting caused by the uninsured and governmental reimbursement rates, state and federal mandates, and costs associated with medical related lawsuits.

As individual consumers, we have very little control over some of the factors contributing to the cost of healthcare. However, all of us have control over lifestyle related health insurance claims. A simple formula of eating a balanced diet, getting the appropriate amount of daily exercise, participating in annual physicals and other recommended routine care, limiting alcohol consumption, and eliminating the use of tobacco products will no doubt reduce our personal healthcare costs. In addition to reducing medical costs, the other benefits of following such a formula include more energy, self confidence, less stress, and increased productivity. If you are not doing so already, I encourage you to consider practical ways to promote a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. For example, one of the individual health insurance companies my organization works with has an option that will offset 25% of the annual cost of a health club membership. Simple things such as taking a walk, bike ride, or going swimming promote both a healthy body and mind. If you have a sweet tooth, consider limiting yourself to eating desert once a week. You will enjoy it more and your body will thank you.

Health insurance premiums will continue to increase as long as the cost of healthcare continues to go up. The best way to reduce the overall cost of healthcare is to decrease our need for healthcare. Healthy lifestyle choices and prudent use of the healthcare system are the best and easiest ways to get a handle on our healthcare expenditures. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a healthy lifestyle is our ability to enjoy our precious time here on earth to the fullest.

Michael Ertel is the President of Ertel & Company, Inc. and has over 15 years of experience in the health insurance business. He is the founder of MedicalInsuranceNow.com which is an internet based service that assists individuals, families, and small business owners by providing side by side comparisons of health insurance alternatives and the convenience of applying for health coverage online.


MORE RESOURCES:

WebMD (blog)

HHS Explicitly Threatens the Insurance Lobby
TIME (blog)
After claims from insurance companies that they plan to dramatically increase premiums this year because of the Affordable Care Act, the White House fired ...
US Rebukes Health InsurersWall Street Journal
HHS to insurers: Don't blame us for your ratesThe Associated Press
Why September 23rd Is Important to YouWebMD (blog)
The Hill (blog) -Insurance News Net (press release) -CNSNews
all 287 news articles »


Reuters UK

US health reforms cause bump in spending: report
Reuters
Medicare is the US government's health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. "The overall net impact is moderate," said Andrea Sisko, ...
Health insurance costs to rise under health-care reformChristian Science Monitor
'Obamacare' Costs More, But Covers MoreABC News
Health Plan Won't Fuel Big Spending, Report SaysNew York Times
Los Angeles Times -BusinessWeek -MiamiHerald.com
all 437 news articles »


Wink News

2 South Florida insurance execs charged with fraud
BusinessWeek
Two South Florida insurance executives have been charged with eight first-degree felony counts each after an extensive fraud investigation. ...
Executives of defunct South Florida insurance companies arrestedMiamiHerald.com
Former Florida Insurance Execs Arrested For Filing False DocsNational Underwriter Property And Casualty Insurance News
South Florida insurance executives arrestedSun-Sentinel
The Florida Independent (blog) -RealEstateRama (press release)
all 23 news articles »


Houston Men Charged With Stealing $103 Million in Life Insurance Fraud
Bloomberg
A&O used money from investors in 37 states to buy the investments, in which life insurance policies are sold to a third party. The policy owner gets a cash ...

and more »


ABC News

Car booster seats make gains in insurance testing
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Car booster seats have made strides in ensuring a proper fit for children in the back seat, according to a review by the insurance industry, ...
IIHS Study Ranks Booster SeatsU.S. News Rankings & Reviews
RC2's The First Years(R) Pathway Booster Seat Receives 'Best Bet ...MarketWatch (press release)
Safety Group: Car Booster Seats Are Getting BetterWall Street Journal (blog)
WQOW TV News 18 -WNDU-TV
all 474 news articles »



FDIC insurance limit of $250000 is now permanent
Boston Globe
The current FDIC insurance limit on bank deposit accounts of $250000 is now permanent. On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street ...
ASI Hiking Share Insurance PremiumCredit Union Times

all 2 news articles »


Funds available for low-cost health insurance in Miami-Dade
MiamiHerald.com
Money from a special $500000 grant is available to help residents buy Miami-Dade Blue insurance, a joint effort between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida ...
Florida releases insurance company earningsSouth Florida Business Journal
Blue Cross NC Wants To Be 'Go-To' Source On Health Care Reform InfoWFAE.org

all 6 news articles »


PhillyDeals: Survey: Employers brace for 9% rise in health-insurance costs
Philadelphia Inquirer
US employers expect health-insurance costs to rise an average 9 percent next year, up from 7 percent in 2010, according to a survey ...

and more »


msnbc.com

Insurance Division offers wildfire assistance
Denver Post
The Colorado Division of Insurance said today it is prepared to be a resource for people affected by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. ...
What fire victims need to know about insurance9NEWS.com
Insurance association: Fourmile Fire evacuees should contact insurers nowDaily Camera
Insurance Advice For Evacuated Residents In Fourmile Canyon FireKMGH Denver

all 3,489 news articles »

Google News




|About Us| |Term 10 Life| |Term 20 Life| |Term 100+ Life| |Universal Life| |Critical Illness | |Long-Term Care| |Disability Income| |Seg Funds| |Ask For A Quote| |Contact Us|

Useful links| Directory
 

About Us
Term 10 Life
Term 20 Life
Term 100+ Life
Universal Life
Critical Illness
Long-Term Care
Disability Income
Seg Funds
Ask For A Quote
The Edge Plan
Insurance Articles
Contact Us
home | site map
© 2008