As More Americans Shop for Their Own Healthcare Insurance, Answer Financial.com Offers 10 Tips to Save; Individual Decisions Can Play a Major Role in Controlling Your Premium Costs.

LOS ANGELES -- Americans shopping for their own healthcare insurance can substantially cut premiums by comparison shopping and following 10 simple steps, according to Answer Financial Inc. (www.answerfinancial.com), one of the nation's leading independent insurance agencies. With more than 140,000 policies in force across all 50 states, the Los Angeles-based company has seen a tremendous increase in consumers that are using the power of the Internet to comparison shop for healthcare insurance.

"In the face of soaring healthcare costs, Americans cannot afford to be without insurance. However, premium costs can take a large bite out of any family's monthly budget," says Alan Snyder, CEO and founder of Answer Financial Inc. "There are ways to reduce the cost while getting proper coverage that most people don't consider. One way is simply to comparison shop, and there's nothing easier than doing it online or having a non-biased expert to do the shopping for you.

"Individual decisions based on how often you and your family typically visit the doctor and taking care to limit out-of-pocket expenses can also go a long way toward reducing premiums," notes Snyder. "Insurance companies base their premiums on the volume and frequency of your medical charges so you can play an important role in keeping your costs down."

Snyder cites 10 ideas for controlling your healthcare costs and insurance premiums:

--  Comparison shop

    --  You can save money by comparison shopping and exploring
        various options such as higher deductibles. The lower your
        deductible, the higher your premium. Comparison shopping also
        allows you to determine the best cost-benefit value. For
        example, many plans cap coverage for serious illness so
        premiums may be lower than one with a high cap. Always compare
        benefits, deductibles and premiums and if you have a preferred
        physician, make sure that he or she is a participant in your
        plan.

--  Practice preventive care

    --  Work out a schedule of preventive health screenings with your
        physician that are appropriate for your age and gender.
        Private screening companies offer a series of tests at low
        prices that can show if you need more intense screenings. The
        lower your medical bills, the lower your premiums will be, but
        don't skimp on the basics.

--  Take an active role in health care decisions

    --  Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor
        and participate actively in your care. Every test and drug has
        some risk involved, and some tests may be defensive medicine.
        Ask what will happen if you choose not to take a drug or have
        a test. Your doctor may be able to suggest alternatives that
        are less risky and costly.

--  Avoid hospitalization whenever possible

    --  Over half of all health care costs are for hospitalizations.
        Consider outpatient services or same day surgery as
        alternatives to hospitalization. Today there are more and
        better alternatives to surgery; always do your research before
        any major medical procedure.

--  Understand health risks

    --  Good lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and
        consumption of vegetables and fruits, have proven to make a
        huge positive difference on health even when started in older
        years. Choices such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, and poor
        nutrition contribute to a higher risk for health problems.

--  Contribute to employer sponsored healthcare savings account (HSA)

    --  These tax-protected accounts of up to $10,000 annually can
        cover everything from the cost of band-aids to co-payments on
        doctor visits. HSA's can be established by employers that only
        offer high-deductible healthcare insurance ($1,000 and over).
        HSA legislations went into effect last year and more employers
        are expected to set these up as a way to decrease insurance
        costs and offer a tax benefit for their employees.

--  Know what your medical benefits cover

    --  Carefully study the medical benefits of various plans and
        always compare before you purchase. If you have a managed care
        plan, know about the plan's grievance procedure and use it if
        you don't feel you are getting adequate care. Do not be
        afraid to ask questions.

--  Save the emergency room for emergencies

    --  Emergency room charges can be much more costly than a doctor's
        visit. These visits will also drive up your premium.

--  Check your hospital and doctor bills carefully

    --  Billing errors are a common occurrence. Notify your hospital
        and health plan promptly when errors are found.

--  Try home remedies first

    --  Eight out of 10 health problems can be treated at home. Make
        sure you have good first aid equipment on hand such as
        antibiotic cream and various size bandages. When you feel a
        cold coming on, try rest and over-the-counter treatments. By
        doing a good job of self-care, you can lower your health care
        costs by reducing doctor visits.

About Answer Financial

Answer Financial Inc., (www.answerfinancial.com) rated #1 by multiple independent Web rating authorities, features auto, home, life, health, dental and long-term care insurance as well as annuity products, prepaid legal services, home warranty, vision and prescription discount plans, commercial insurance, online banking, travel protection, pet insurance and more.

The company offers the products of more than 230 top-rated national providers through intranets, the Internet and by toll-free phone access to experienced, licensed agents. Answer Financial Inc. distributes its products as a voluntary benefit to hundreds of large employers and affinity groups, as well as acts as a private labeled customer product for leading financial institutions.