Information technology, medical equipment and devices and drugs and pharmaceuticals all add up to the ever increasing cost of providing healthcare. Take into account also the fact that we have a large portion of our population that is aging and requires extensive and specialized services. Add all these factors together and it's plain to see why having health insurance is important.

Carrying an insurance policy is typically up to the individual, or in many cases, an employer will help to subsidize the cost. Unfortunately, many people risk their personal savings and budget by not having any coverage at all. In these cases the individual assumes all the responsibility for payment of the services provided. There are many providers that will offer substantial discounts if the uninsured patient can pay the account in full.

A couple things that can help offset the expenses of healthcare are health savings accounts and supplemental insurance. In health savings accounts you set aside some money each month into account that can later be accessed to pay your hospital or doctor bills. This monthly contribution is also tax free. A supplemental insurance policy typically is affordable to have but generally pays just a small portion of your claims.

With every year that goes by an individual's benefits plan will generally get more and more expensive. With deductibles and co-insurance rising plus the premiums also increasing, even those with insurance have financial challenges facing them. Technology that is available now to providers can help estimate the cost of the service before it's actually provided.

This helps the patient to be prepared in advance with an estimation of their own expense before the ever arrive to the facility. Many providers also have onsite resource counselors that can help patients navigate through the many options available for payment of these estimates.

Hospitals typically will allow the patient to set up payment plans, without interest fees. They also have patient advocacy programs which will guide patients through various programs they might qualify for. Be sure to check with the financial services department to see if you may be eligible for programs such as charity care and state or federal assistance.

When securing health insurance, make sure you are fully aware of all the out-of-pocket expenses, what the plan covers, the cost of the premiums and who all in your family is covered in the plan. Some insurance plans also provide vision and dental insurance at minimal cost.