If you (fill in the blank) then you will get up to a $150.00 credit on your health insurance premiums. So you stop smoking, go to the gym, lose weight. And after you participate in the program, get referred to outside counselors, consultants or merely submit your information to an employee of your insurance company or to an employee of an outside company who has been contracted for the specific service, you've empowered yourself to receive a credit for healthful living. If only we all could display certificates of our participation and empowerment in preserving our own health. But there's something wrong. We're not purchasing health insurance to help us out when we're healthy, we're purchasing it for when we aren't. And the "rebate" probably doesn't amount to a tenth of what we pay for insurance coverage. As you go through your insurance alternatives, keep that truth in mind--if you don't think you will get sick, you do not need to purchase insurance. EVEN if your policy covers routine check-ups and screenings, and immunizations, chances are you'd be better off financially if you paid out of pocket for these services. So why do we all get health insurance? Because if we get sick we want coverage. Period. Every other transaction with our insurance companies is unnecessary.
I remember listening to some financial advisor who was amazed at how many people purchased insurance in one of its many forms as an "investment." He said he couldn't understand that people didn't get that if you want a financial investment, get a financial investment, not an insurance product. If we want to go on a diet, paying thousands of dollars a year for health insurance that gives back $150.00 if you'll register, consult with and report to a sub-contracted dietitian is not fiscally responsible. If you want to immunize your child, you can pay out of pocket for the immunization or go to the health department for free immunization. INSURANCE is a contingency, if something happens, the company will pay. Don't be dazzled by the rebate and the gold star. Take a minute and calculate the cost of insurance vs the cost of your routine physical, screening, immunizations, diets and weight loss programs.
