Health Insurance

Some of the significant factors affecting health insurance premiums are:

1. State and federal laws: State legislation dictates what health insurance must cover and how much insurers can charge. This can vary between states.
2. The type of insurance: Whether you are insured by an employer's group plan or buy it on your own is a factor in how much you'll pay.
3. Income level: Your nature of work and the amount of risk you're exposed to at work affect the premium charges. Due to subsidies, low-wage workers tend to pay more through employers but may pay less through a federal or state exchange. 
4. Employer size: If your employer sponsors your health insurance, its premium may vary accordingly. Insurance is usually cheaper at large companies.
5. State of residence: State and county laws regulating brokers and other related policies also have a hand in determining premiums and affordability.
6. Who is added to your plan: Individual plans are more affordable than plans that cover your spouse or dependents, but you should still purchase a separate policy for everyone in your family. 
7. Plan type: Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and platinum plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace tend to cost the most.
8. Age: Health insurance premiums are generally more affordable when you're younger. The rates increase as a policyholder ages, with the largest increase after age 55. 
9. Tobacco use: You'll typically pay more for health insurance if you use tobacco. In many states, premiums could be up to 50% higher than those paid by someone who doesn't smoke, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.