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Affordable health insurance in Oklahoma comes down to controlling your risk factors, knowing your health plan options and shopping around for the best provider. Some of these things you can do immediately and reap immediate savings. Others require a sustained effort that will pay off down the road.

Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma: Risk Factors

To begin, it is a good idea to get an idea of certain risk factors and how Oklahoma ranks among the rest of the nation in specific key indicators and overall.

Oklahoma has the following rankings in these key indicators.

- Cardiovascular disease: 48th - Obesity: 46th - Premature death: 43rd - Preventable hospitalizations: 45th - Primary care physicians: 49th - Number of poor health days: 46th - Smoking: 46th - Violent crime: 41st

This ranks the state 49thin overall health which puts the state of health care in Oklahoma in a tough situation. This doesn't mean you have to suffer. There are steps you can take that can save you considerably on premiums. By taking control of the key risk factors, you can stand out among the crowd and qualify for affordable Oklahoma health care insurance.

The Cost of Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma

The average cost of an employer-based health insurance family plan in 2008 for Oklahoma residents was dollar 12,680. This was actually slightly below the national average for the same plan. However, average incomes in Oklahoma are much lower than the national average, making residents of Oklahoma spend a larger share of their income for health care coverage than most other states. Oklahoma medical insurance is relatively expensive due to the poor overall health of the state. Thus, if you can take some steps to improve your health, you are more likely to qualify for lower premiums.

Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma: Controlling Daily Habits

Two major issues facing health care in Oklahoma are the high prevalence of smoking and obesity. These two also contribute to the cardiovascular disease and premature death. As you see above, Oklahoma ranks poorly in all categories. This leads to higher health insurance rates. If don't smoke, and get your weight under control with a proper diet and exercise, you will reduce these risk factors and be ahead of the curve when purchasing health insurance in Oklahoma. This all has to do with daily habits. By improving your health you can have yourself re-evaluated and possibly qualify for a more affordable health insurance plan.

Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma: Physician Networks

Oklahoma's poor ranking (49th) when it comes to physician networks is certainly a cause for concern, but it simply means you will have to work a little harder as you shop. Affordable medical insurance means more than just finding the cheapest plan you can find. It means getting quality coverage at a good price. As you shop around, make an effort to understand the various physician networks available in your area. If you have a primary care physician that you trust, then make it a priority to find a network in which that physician participates.

Affordable Health Insurance in Oklahoma: Shopping Around

Comparing rates, physician networks and policy elements is necessary if you want to find the best deal on your health care plan. Rate quotes are the best method of doing this. Online resources allow you to compare rates from company to company, but more importantly perhaps, it allows you to compare plans. Take a little time to do this and you will find the plan you need at a price you can afford, which means affordable health insurance in Oklahoma is certainly within your reach.

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