Health Care And Health Insurance Costs Can Be Controlled Through
Lifestyle Choices
By Michael Ertel

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.

About the Author: Michael Ertel 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.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=607&ca=Business