Do you pay more attention to your car than your body? You
change your oil every 3000 to 4000 miles. You have your tires rotated every
other oil change. Your air filter and brake pads are changed at the appropriate
intervals.
Now, what about your body? You follow the recommended AMA guidelines for routine
check ups and other healthcare services. You pay special attention to make sure
you eat a balanced diet and always take the time to get enough exercise. The
reality is many Americans pay more attention to the maintenance of their car
than they do their body.
From an insurance perspective, your automobile insurance company has a certain
expectation that you will take reasonable care of your car. Things such as the
routine maintenance of brakes and making sure your turning signals work properly
are expected by your insurance company. Basic common sense says that proper
automobile maintenance reduces traffic accidents and saves both you and your
insurance company money.
Health insurance consumers can benefit by taking a similar approach to taking
care of their body. For the average American, regular exercise, routine check
ups and following your doctor’s advice will reduce your healthcare costs in the
long run. It is really very simple. By doing the things necessary to stay
healthy, you will need to seek medical care less frequently.
Even with a commitment to stay healthy, you will still need health insurance
coverage to take care of the unexpected and sometimes unavoidable catastrophic
situations. However, instead of paying the insurance company for a $250
deductible, many individuals would benefit by purchasing a high deductible
health insurance plan. Depending on the specific situation, it is not uncommon
for individuals and families to save up to 25% on premiums with a high
deductible plan. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can then be set up to coordinate
with the high deductible plan. Approaching health care and health insurance
wisely will benefit both your body and pocketbook.
About the Author
Michael Ertel is the founder of http://www.MedicalInsuranceNow.com which is a
website that assists individuals and small business owners by providing side by
side comparisons of health insurance alternatives.