As you probably know all to well, the cost of health care and medical insurance premiums continue to increase at levels substantially above the general inflation rate. The reasons given for these extraordinary cost increases are numerous and include: technological advancements in the health field, increased demand for medical services and prescription drugs, the aging of the population, cost shifting caused by the uninsured and governmental reimbursement prices, state and federal mandates, and costs  associated with medical related lawsuits.

As individual consumers, we have very little control over some of the variables contributing to the cost of medical care. Nonetheless, all of us have control over lifestyle related medical insurance claims. A simple formula of eating a balanced diet, obtaining the appropriate amount of daily exercise, participating in annual physicals and other recommended routine care, limiting alcohol consumption, and eliminating the use of tobacco products will no doubt reduce our personal health care costs . In addition to reducing medical costs , the other benefits of following such a formula include more energy, self confidence, less stress, and increased productivity. If you’re not doing so already, I encourage you to consider practical ways to promote a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. Consider this example, one of the individual medical insurance corporations my organization works with has an option that will offset 25 percent of the annual cost of a health club membership. Simple things such as taking a walk, bike ride, or going swimming promote both a healthy body and mind. If you have a sweet tooth, consider limiting yourself to eating desert once a week. You’ll enjoy it more and your body will thank you.

Health Insurance premiums will continue to increase as long as the cost of health care continues to go up. The best way to reduce the overall cost of health care is to decrease our need for medical care. Healthy lifestyle choices and prudent use of the health care system are the best and easiest ways to get a handle on our health care expenditures. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a healthy lifestyle is our ability to enjoy our precious time here on earth to the fullest.