The easiest way to obtain affordable, low cost health insurance is to purchase a low cost health insurance plan through your employer. These health insurance plans are usually Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and – even better news- purchasing a low cost health insurance plan through your employer usually means that your monthly premiums are deducted from your paycheck, much like taxes are. If you're lucky, you won't even miss those premiums!

Yet, not everyone is fortunate enough to work for an employer who offers affordable, low cost health insurance. Actually, some people aren't even able to work at all. Maybe they've lost their jobs or been laid off. Maybe they've become disabled, or just too old to work. Whatever the reason, there's good news. Affordable, low cost health insurance is within reach – if, that is, you're willing to do a bit of stretching.

Use your spouse's health insurance plan. If you are married and your spouse as an affordable, low cost health insurance plan, he or she may be able to add you to it.

Look into state-sponsored health insurance programs. These state-sponsored programs are ideal for the disabled and elderly; actually, most of them are designed just for those people.

Check out a few short-term medical insurance plans. Short term medical insurance plans are designed for individuals who have suddenly found themselves laid off or out of work, but plan to join the workforce again once they can. Short term medical insurance plans are full of benefits, and are generally available anywhere from six to 12 months.

Start looking at various individual health insurance plans. These are usually the most expensive of all health insurance plans; however, what you'll pay in premiums will pale in comparison to what you'll pay in hospital bills should you become ill or injured. This makes having an individual health insurance plan seem all the more affordable and low cost.