Tips for Saving Money on Health Costs

Updated 10:39 AM CST, Tue, Feb 24, 2009

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These are hard times for a lot of people and even worse if you've lost your job.

But even the unemployed can still get health insurance without breaking the bank.

Shannon Rohan got laid off in October and has been spending a lot of time at home playing with her two kids.

The single mother quickly had to find health insurance for her family after losing her job. Her severance package covered them under Cobra, but at a pretty hefty price -- just the medical was about $830.

Rohan went online and found a plan similar to the one she had but for a fraction of the cost

"The plan now costs me $350 a month," she said.

Her family has even kept their same doctors.

Sam Gibbs from E-Healthinsurance.com said you could go online and buy the same brand name plans that are used by large corporations.

Often online plans are cheaper because you can pick what services you want, instead of corporate plans that offer umbrella coverage.

"These are Blue Cross plans, Blue Shield plans, Aetna, United Health care, Pacific Care all of those name brands that provide group coverage, they also provide individual and family coverage," said Gibbs.

The AARP folks suggest to not rule out Cobra and other federal programs because you can continue your group health coverage and if you have a pre-existing condition you can get covered.

Look into low-cost state programs for kids as well.

When shopping online for health insurance contact the insurance company, make sure that what they have online is really available and that it will work out for you and your family. At the very least check and see what the customer service is like.