Physical fitness is the key to the prevention of chronic conditions that are largely responsible for increasing health care costs. More than 50% of adults in the US do not meet the physical activity recommendation of 30 minutes of daily exercise and participate in lifestyle behaviors of smoking, drugs and excess alcohol which naturally explain why a majority of our population suffer from chronic health problems. The treatment of these individuals cost millions of dollars spent on medical labor, medicine, diagnostic testing and equipment. The insurance industry increases health insurance plans to reflect these astronomical costs.

The cost to treat a healthy individual versus a chronically ill person can reach between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. Studies performed by individual states have also shown that chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, back pain, cancers, chronic lung disease, stroke, and obesity directly contribute to the rising cost of health care. Study results also show that all physicians interviewed recommended physical activity for prevention to these chronic health problems. There is a well documented link between physical activity and well being.

Health insurance companies usually require a physical examination as part of the application process in which a physician will check for any signs of chronic disease. Stress tests, blood tests, and urine samples may also be required. Healthier individuals are eligible for plans with lower premiums and are rarely denied coverage. Major medical plans that cover only emergency and/or hospital care also offer the healthy individual a lower cost option. An individual with pre-existing health problems may require specialists which could translate into numerous office visits, referrals, outpatient treatments or out-of-pocket expenses, such as a specialist who is not in the plan's network. Treatments with out-of-network physicians are generally more expensive. Unaffordable premiums or denied coverage are common in these cases. The current health care reform legislation has attempted to expand coverage for all those uninsured, however, the regulatory details will take some time before its implications are understood by the insurance companies and the general public. Meanwhile, individuals with pre-existing health conditions continue to be denied.

With evidence showing that participation in physical activity lowers the risk of prematurely developing many health problems, the pursuit of achieving and maintaining overall wellness clearly affects how much everyone pays for health insurance. The answer to lowering our nation's ever increasing health care costs lie solely on each individual's decision to get 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Physical fitness and activity not only improves well being, it also provides individuals with the best discounts on health insurance plans.