Where Can You Get Health Coverage?

Most people with health coverage get that coverage through their employer. Many workers count heavily on the health care protection provided by their employer. However, with health care premiums increasing at a rate faster than inflation, many employers are finding it difficult to justify providing health care to their employees.

Still, most people get their health insurance from their employer, and even if employers are forced to raise the premiums to employees or to cut back on the types of health care services provided, getting your health care through an employer is still the most cost-effective way for most Americans to get health coverage.

If your employer either does not offer insurance or if you are self-employed, it is possible for you to purchase health insurance on your own. There are advantages to buying your own health insurance. For one thing, you can more easily tailor a plan to fit your individual needs and the needs of your family. Many people find this a big plus.

The downside is that without your employer negotiating lower premium rates and without your employer (typically) paying for at least one half our your premium payment, most people find buying health insurance on their own more expensive than relying on employer-provided insurance.

There are ways for you to lower your costs. If you are in a particular field of work you may want to talk with union halls or with trade associations or other organizations that are related to your line of work. Often these groups negotiate lower insurance premiums and they are willing to include workers who are not covered by other plans.

If that’s not an option, you may need to adjust your deductible or some of your coverage options. By raising your deductible (the amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before insurance begins paying) you lower your monthly premium. Increasing co-payments or coinsurance payments can also reduce your monthly premium.

Remember, the goal of health insurance isn’t necessarily to pay for every doctor visit – for may people the purpose of health insurance is to protect them and their assets from a catastrophic illness or accident that would wipe them out financially in the blink of an eye.