Are You Happy with Your Health Insurance Coverage?

Did you know that more than 46 million Americans or every sixths citizen didn't have health insurance in 2007? Now that the economy is in recession and many Americans losing their jobs hence employer-based health insurance, this number almost doubled. It is 87 million and counting...

What is the number of those who have health insurance but consider it insufficient for their chronic illnesses? Needless to say that they have to pay each year more for the same insufficient care as premiums cost is rising every year.

If health-care reform doesn't take place, most Americans can expect to pay premiums that will double by 2016. Already 50 percent of adults who have health insurance say they're "very" or "extremely" worried about paying more for their medical care, according to the new survey of the National Council on Aging.

If you are like million Americans struggling to pay the bills, these tips are for you.

Tip #1. Try and stay healthy! If you don't have any chronic health problems, try and keep it this way. Do sports regularly, opt for healthy organic food, stop smoking and overeating.

Tip #2. If you have some minor health conditions, try alternative medicine. Like doing some yoga, meditation or altering diet if you have mild depression.

Tip #3. If you have severe condition or chronic illness and can't do without drugs - buy cheaper generics. The FDA has a tool where you can identify generic equivalents of brand-name prescription drugs. It might save you a great deal of money.

Some facts about healthcare in the US:

- According to the new report of the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), drug companies spent $11.5 billion in 2005 in advertising their most expensive drugs, and total drug advertising dollars increased 250 percent from 1997 to 2007. Pharmaceutical company marketing increases the total number of prescriptions issued and increases prescriptions for newer, more expensive drugs over older, less expensive drugs that are just as good. Does it look like drug companies are concerned about the health of the nation?

- Low-income individuals aged 44 and over are more likely to delay getting health care, but also 22 percent of individuals with household incomes of $50,000 or more having made such a decision, according to the survey of the National Council on Aging. Those who have put off care suffer the consequences: 45 percent are "always" or "frequently" in pain (versus 28 percent of those who sought care, 49 percent were always or frequently tired (versus 28 percent of those getting care).