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| Save Your Money |  If you want to buy your own insurance, you have to shop around for the best price. As long as you are healthy and under 50, insurance companies want your business. They don’t want to avoid attracting applicants, though, many keep a low profile, that’s why you will have to seek them out by phoning agents, checking with your state insurance department, or going online.
-Make the most of spousal coverage.
Couples that work with insurance from two employers are able to get more or pay less than one-income couples. It is the best deal to separate coverage for each, double coverage for both, or forgo one spouse’s coverage in favor of the other’s. If you have children, you will have to compare your options for family coverage. Be cautious: the calculations can be incredible, even with double coverage; a couple can’t get more than 100% on the same claim.
- Use available tax-breaks.
If you are self-employed, you can deduct 100% of your insurance premium from your gross income. For employees it is better to sign up if their employer offers a flexible spending account. You can pay your co-payments as well as expenses not covered by insurance with money that is not item to income tax or Social Security taxes.
- Take reasonable risks.
If you are healthy and use not many medical services, you can lower premium costs appreciably by buying “catastrophic” coverage. This is an indemnity policy with a very high deductible, perhaps as much as $2,500. Taking this much financial risk can cut your premium by 50% or more, it will depend on your age. Don't try to cut your premium with the help of diminishing coverage on the other end, though. You have to make sure that your insurance has a high maximum payout, at least $100,000, and preferably $500,000. You have also to take care to understand the definition of “catastrophic”.
- Seek for a subsidy.
If you have very low income, if you are disabled or if your medical expenses are extremely high, you may seek for federal or state-subsidized insurance, like Medicare or Medicaid. In such cases you may be qualified to receive free primary care through public health clinics.
If you have lost your job or have got health problems, federal and state laws give you certain rights to obtain health insurance.
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