Living a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in helping Connecticut residents get discounted rates for their health insurance. In addition to living healthy, being members of large associations can help to lower your rate. Here are a few cost saving tips:
1. Watch your weight: Don’t be surprised if your rates are higher because of your weight. Health insurance companies like to insure healthy people. Part of being healthy is maintaining proper weight. If you’re slightly overweight, your rate may be slightly higher, however, if you are morbidly obese, insurance companies might not insure you.
2. Tobacco: Smokers (including tobacco chewers) are at higher risk for smoking related illnesses and thus not looked upon favorably by health insurance companies. Smokers can look to pay a higher rate than non-smokers.
3. Stage of Life: Younger policyholders can look to pay a lower rate than their older counterpart. As people age, the likelihood of illness and age related diseases increase.
4. Ask for Discounts: If you are a member of a large association like AARP, or part of a Teacher’s Association, you may earn a few discounts. When soliciting insurance, make sure to ask for discounts. Let’s face you wont know unless you ask.
5. Join and attend a gym: Several health insurance companies will not only provide a better rate for policyholders who exercise regularly, some offer to pay one month of gym membership costs if you can provide proof of consistent attendance. The healthier you are, the lower the chances of submitting a claim.
6. History: If your health history is uneventful, your rate will be lower than if you’ve been diagnosed with a debilitating illness and are frequently admitted to the hospital.
Purchasing health insurance is not tricky. The underwriting is basic common sense. If you take good care of yourself and are in good health, you will be rewarded with lower rates.
Whether you are in optimal health or not, you should always shop around to several insurance companies before making a decision.