The cost and availability of health insurance is one of the tragic stories of this decade as millions of individuals and families are now without any type of coverage. In a country as rich as the United States, this is both unthinkable and unacceptable. Unfortunately, if you are without health insurance right now you're pretty much on your own. Here are a few things that may either offer you assistance or help you to beat the high cost of health insurance.

#1. Get several free health insurance quotes online and see if you can find something that fits your budget. Don't assume anything because there are a lot of different plans out there and everyone's budget is different. You may just find something you can handle.

#2. Cut corners if you have to. This means that you may have to cut your cable tv, cut back on the nights out with the guys or gals, wear "Wrangler's" instead of "Levi 501's", etc. I'm only being a bit sarcastic here so please don't take it personal. You may not do or have any of these things. My point is just that we all have the means to cut corners in one way or another. It's up to you to decide what is more important, your health insurance or the other things.

#3. Cut back on your coverage. This not only includes raising your annual deductible, but you may reduce the amount of coverage offered within the policy also. Be careful with this, but keep in mind that the idea is to protect yourself against a major accident that could require long term hospitalization. Obviously, you want to maintain as much coverage as you can, but in some cases, some is better than none at all.

These are just three ways that you may be able to beat the high cost of health insurance. Be creative and see what else you can come up with on your own. You might want to get a second job, etc. Whatever it takes.