Determine why you are buying health insurance.
Do you want to pay a nominal fee for office visits when your family members need care?______________________

• If so, consider a traditional plan, such as an HMO, PPO or POS.

Do you just want a safety net to protect you in case of a catastrophic event?______________________

• If so, consider a consumer-directed health plan with a high deductible and health savings account.

What do you typically spend on health care in a year?______________________

• If you're really healthy and make a good salary, consider a consumer-directed health plan.

Do you have chronic problems that require regular care and prescriptions?______________________

• If so, you should probably opt for a traditional plan.

Evaluate the health insurance plan
How much are the premiums?______________________

How much, if any, will the employer pay?______________________

What's covered and what is out of pocket?______________________

What's the annual maximum benefit?______________________

What's the maximum lifetime policy benefit?______________________

What is the annual deductible for yourself? For your family?______________________

What's the co-payment for various services?______________________

What are the costs of services within the network?______________________

What are the costs of services out of network?______________________

Which prescriptions are covered and for how much?______________________

Does it pay for all or just a portion of brand name drugs?______________________

Are the medicines that you need in the formulary (a fancy word for approved prescription drugs)?______________________

Is there an annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses in a year?______________________