The health care situation in the United States has changed considerably since the 1970s and 1980s. It is rare for employers today to provide free health insurance for their workers. There is no longer an incentive to do so, since companies are no longer fighting over a small pool of workers. High unemployment has reversed the situation, with hundreds of workers trying to get the same job. In fact, employers who offered health insurance benefits to their employees for many years have recently decided to cancel this precious benefit.

A double whammy for workers is the overpriced medical care in America. One trip to the emergency room can wipe out a lifetime of savings. However, you do have some options available. If your employer does not offer medical benefits, then buy a affordable medical insurance policy to cover yourself and your family, if applicable. Cheap insurance is not that different from premium insurance plans. Consider these points before making a decision:

· Some individual policies are priced similar too, and sometimes less than, group insurance. Some employers tack on an administrative fee cover their costs for running their employee benefits departments. That fee becomes part of your monthly premium with an employer. You might get more coverage for your dollar when buying an individual policy.

· Money management is easier when you get choose how much you can afford to pay. There are many low cost health plans from which to choose. The cheaper premiums have higher deductibles.

· Most physicians have contracted with all of the major insurance companies, so you might be able to stay with your current doctor. This means that you will receive the same expert care with a low cost health insurance policy as you would with group insurance.

· If your doctor is not part of the network, then you need to choose whether to pay out-of-network fees or change doctors. The lower out-of-network coverage can get expensive if you are someone who goes to the doctor every two weeks for allergy shots, etc. If you only go to the doctor once or twice a year, then the difference might be minimal.

Affordable health insurance is an important investment in your future. Accidents and illness result in lost time, and possibly lost pay, at work. Health insurance helps you to get the care that you need with board certified doctors, so you can continue to earn a paycheck during your best years. The best timing strategy for buying health insurance is before you need it. It’s too late once you are in the hospital, or find out that you need an expensive medical procedure. Buy insurance while you are healthy to get the cheapest rates.

The economy has changed permanently. Pensions and free health insurance are history. Good money management dictates that you should save as much as possible for retirement. An expensive medical bill could ruin your plans to ever retire, unless you have a health insurance policy to pick up most of the tab.

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