Health insurance is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You need determine the type of insurance coverage. What does the plan cover? Do you require specialized care or follow-up? Is this covered? Do you require rehabilitation therapy such as occupational therapy, physical therapy or other? The Plan Covers Your Prescriptions. Some plans do not cover certain medications. They may cover a medication that it designed to accomplish the same goal but is not exactly the same. Determine What Insurance Your Existing Health Care Professionals Accept. This may or may not be important to you. However, some insurance plans only allow you to see certain health care providers and visit certain clinics. Depending on the options, it may be more convenient to pay slightly more per month to be able to continue seeing your existing health care providers.

Obtain Multiple Quotes In Writing. Once you have determined what type of coverage you need, search for the best price and terms. Get the quotes in writing. This keeps you organized, keeps the insurance representative that provided the quote accountable and allows you to easily compare the different quotes. Research insurance companies and see how they rate amongst their counterparts. Do they have a high customer satisfaction rating? Do you know others that are already covered by this insurance provider? Read The Fine Print. Are there any hidden costs? For example, is there a hidden fee if you were to switch insurance providers? Have A Trusted Friend and/or Family Member Review The Options With You. It is beneficial to have another person review the details of the insurance plan. They may have some insight into the terms of the policy.

A lot of seniors belong to health clubs and gyms and the health benefits of exercising don’t diminish as you age. In fact they seem to become more important in helping you to remain healthy, active, and independent. How do you go about finding one appropriate for seniors?

First of all, there are a few senior-only health clubs, although they are few and far between. If there is one near you, it may be perfect, although many of my senior friends prefer working out in a mixed environment anyways. Since you probably don’t have a seniors only option, what should you look for above and beyond a comfortable, pleasant environment with a mix of equipment that you enjoy? Does anyone on the staff have a certification in senior fitness or equivalent? Although not necessary, this is nice. The regular staff may be more than adequate. My gym for example is very popular with seniors yet no one carries a specific certification.

Do they offer senior specific or senior appropriate fitness classes? Although none carry the “senior” designation at mine, they have a range of low impact to medium impact classes, and quite a few seniors like the higher impact classes as well. At last, and probably least yet still important, do they offer a senior discount? If not, they may offer a discount for a restricted time membership, for example one that that doesn’t include weekend or evening access. If you have a flexible schedule like many seniors, this might just be perfect!