Guest Columnist
Cashing In on Keeping Yew Year's Resolutions
By
Jan 5, 2012 - 4:38:38 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - We’ve all made New Year’s resolutions and promptly broken them – especially health-related ones. But, most people don’t realize that sticking to some very common resolutions like losing weight and quitting smoking and drinking can actually save them a bundle on health expenses. Here are some great reasons (and cash incentives) to keep those New Year’s resolutions in 2012.

1). Quit Smoking – You can save 13 to 23 percent on your health insurance costs if you don’t smoke.
· According to eHealthInsurance.com, in 2011 women smokers paid 23 percent more, on average, for their monthly health insurance premiums than non-smoking women. Men who smoke pay 13 percent more, on average, than men who don’t.
· If you plan to quit in 2012, you can save well beyond just the cost of cigarettes.

2). Lose Weight – People with the healthiest Body Mass Index (BMI) typically pay less for health insurance.
· According to a 2011 eHealthInsurance.com survey, adults age 20 and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obese, according to the CDC) pay an average of 22.5 percent more in monthly individual health insurance premiums compared to people with a BMI in the normal range.
· According to a survey conducted by Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health, nearly 40 percent of mid- to large-sized companies are expected to use fees or other penalties to encourage healthier habits in 2012.

3). Drink Less – People who drink moderately have a decreased risk of several diseases, including colorectal, stomach and ovarian cancer.
· How much a person drinks can possibly affect his/her health insurance costs – especially long-term.
· By cutting back on alcohol, you’re not only saving money today, you could be saving on future health care costs too.

For additional information about how to find and select health insurance, consumers can check out our new Individual Health Insurance for Dummies guide available free at http://guide.ehealthinsurance.com/.

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