True – health insurance costs are increasing year after year, month after month.  But this doesn’t mean you aren’t able to get an affordable yet reliable health insurance plan.  In fact, with more Americans finding the price of health insurance too expensive and simply going without health insurance, health insurance companies are being forced to keep their prices competitive.  Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best, most reliable, and cheapest plan that fits you and your lifestyle.

1.  When are you covered under the plan?

Unfortunately, with the economy in an undesirable condition, many health insurance policies currently do not provide you with benefits or compensation for anything that could be covered under another plan, such as workers’ compensation laws.  When shopping around for health insurance plans, don’t let the price fool you and be sure to consider whether the health insurance plan you choose covers you both on and off the job, 24 hours a day.

2. You can shop around for healthcare!

Every day, people shop around for groceries, services, and more, trying to find the best deal for their money.  Why, then, do people not do this when shopping for health care? In today’s ever-changing market of health insurance, it is becoming more and more important to ask questions about how much a checkup or treatment plan will cost.  Doing so will help you save large amounts of money and lower your own expenses.

3. Take advantage of discounts

In order to lure customers, many health insurance companies offer discounts on health care or benefit programs when working with certain medical networks.  For example, certain doctors, physicians, or hospitals may already have formed an agreement with your health insurance provider to provide discounted rates.  To get the most out of your plan and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses, this is an excellent way to save money.