If you're self-employed and facing high health insurance bills, there are a number of things you can do to make your health insurance premiums cheaper once you find a good health insurance plan. Some involve opting out of certain coverage, others mean increasing the amount you'll pay out of pocket for expenses. There are also discount health plans that you can join which will offer you cheaper fees for the services that you use. All involve taking on some of the risk for insuring yourself onto your own shoulders.

Eliminate Coverage for Routine Office Visits for Cheaper Premiums - If you're healthy, have few prescriptions and no children, a catastrophic health insurance policy can be all the coverage that you need. The premiums to cover you just in the event of an accident or unexpected illness are among the cheapest you'll find - well under $100 a month for an individual. Shop online for the best rates you can find. In many cases, you can apply online and be insured within 24 hours.

Increase Your Deductible to Save On Premiums - A deductible is the amount of money you'll pay out of pocket before your insurance company takes over payments on your bill. If your health insurance plan includes a deductible (not a co-payment), you can often make your monthly premiums cheaper by increasing the amount of your deductible. While you'll pay more out of pocket if something does happen, it's far more affordable than going without health insurance because you can't afford to pay the monthly premium.

Pay Your Premium Annually for Big Discounts - If overall savings are your goal, you can often get the cheapest rate on your health insurance by paying for the full year at one time. Most health insurance companies will substantially discount your health insurance premium if you pay it all at once.

Open a Medical Savings Account - MSA's are the government's way of helping to make health care more affordable for people who work for themselves or in a small business. A Medical Savings Account allows you to put a certain amount of your earnings into a tax-deferred savings account to cover the cost of medical expenses. By combining this with a cheap high deductible insurance policy, you pay fewer taxes on your MSA earnings, and use them to pay the deductible on your health insurances if it becomes necessary.

Take Your Health Insurance Deduction - When you file your taxes, be sure to take your health insurance deduction. Even if you don't itemize all expenses, you can deduct up to 70% of your health insurance costs from your income when you file your taxes.

To view our recommended sources for health insurance, or to read more articles about health insurance, visit: Recommended Health Insurance Companies Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics.

• Stuck in Paradise, Needing Medical Help
Before embarking on an overseas vacation, travelers should check their medical policy to see what is covered or get special travel insurance.

• Obama Considers Major Expansion in Aid to Jobless
The Democratic economic package may include much more government-assisted health insurance and unemployment help.

• Mr. Bush’s Health Care Legacy
President Bush can lay claim to some signal achievements in health care ones that we urge Barack Obama to continue and develop further.

• Jobless Claims Fall; Holiday Cited
The number of newly laid off workers signing up for unemployment benefits fell sharply, the government said, but those continuing to draw aid climbed.

• South Carolina Governor Relents on Jobless Funds
Gov. Mark Sanford relented Wednesday and agreed to apply for $146 million in federal funds, after weeks of refusing to do so.


Life Insurance News



• Bill Swartz Named National Sales Manager for John Hancock Fixed Annuities (PR Newswire)
Experienced Hancock Veteran To Lead Team of 10 Wholesalers

• Prudential PLC - Corporate Reporting Calendar 2009 (Marketwire)


• Debt trouble at Lee triggers auditor's warning (AP)
Lee Enterprises Inc., publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other newspapers, said in a regulatory filing that it will have trouble paying its debt over the next two years because of severe reductions in revenue.

• Dividend Declaration: Delaware Investments(R) Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Announces Dividends (PR Newswire)
Today, Delaware Investments Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. , a New York Stock Exchange-listed closed-end fund trading under the symbol "DDF," declares a monthly dividend of $0.0575 per share.

• Dividend Declaration: Delaware Investments(R) Global Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. Announces Dividends (PR Newswire)
Today, Delaware Investments Global Dividend and Income Fund, Inc. , a New York Stock Exchange-listed closed-end fund trading under the symbol "DGF," declares a monthly dividend of $0.0575 per share.


Property & Casualty Insurance News



• Why Dilbert's Creator Doesn't Trust Warren Buffett (at CNBC)


• Final Glance: Insurers companies (AP)


• OneBeacon Schedules Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2008 Earnings Release and Webcast (PR Newswire)
OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. will review its fourth quarter and full-year 2008 results via live Webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday February 6, 2009, following its earnings release earlier that morning.

• RLI 4th Quarter Earnings Release Teleconference (Business Wire)
PEORIA, Ill.----RLI Corp. , a specialty property & casualty company, will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss fourth quarter results on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at 11:00 am Eastern Time.

• PartnerRe Announces Executive Management Changes in its U.S. Operations (Business Wire)
PEMBROKE, Bermuda----PartnerRe Ltd. today announced executive changes in its U.S. operations.

Health Insurance Online - Save Today
It is now possible to thoroughly research and buy health insurance online. Without health insurance, the smallest of incidents, accidents, or illness can leave you with expensive medical bills that most people would have difficulty paying. More..

Life Insurance Fears Post the London Bombings Tragedy
Following on from the tube train and bus bomb attacks in London there was a move from several UK insurance companies to reassure victims that claims would be processed "quickly and sympathetically". This need for reassurance came in light of concerns that many victims of the blasts would not be covered by their existing health and life insurance cover. More..

Ways to Supplement an Existing Long Term Care Policy Without Paying Premiums


Quite a few people may find themselves in this situation?

They had the foresight to buy a long term care policy 5-10 years ago. My first comment is: good for them. More..

Is Purchasing Travel Insurance Smart?
To answer the question 'is purchasing travel insurance smart?' let's look at what insurance is. When you purchase insurance - health insurance, homeowner's insurance, car insurance, life insurance, or travel insurance - you're not making an investment. More..

An Intro To Life Insurance
There are many options available for life insurance, and for most people these options can be somewhat confusing. Below is a brief review of each type and some advantages and disadvantages of each. More..

Health Savings Account (HSA): Helpful for Older People?
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that a lot of people have been talking about. It is meant to help you save money on insurance and make your life simpler, maybe even help you be healthier. More..

Insurance: A Necessity for Peace of Mind
There are many choices for insurance. Insurance is a policy where you pay in a certain figure, that you do not usually get back, and pays out in the event of a certain situation. More..