Lowest monthly premiums but highest costs for doctor visits and for prescriptions. This category is best for those who do not need to see a doctor often and are willing to pay higher co-payment amounts.

Also known as business health insurance, group plan coverage is available for a common group of people and is typically provided by employers and professional organizations.

Health insurance that provides coverage for an individual and is not obtained through an employer.

Health insurance that provides coverage for an entire immediate family unit, including both parents and children under 18 years old.

Depending on the kind of plan you choose, you may be able to see any doctor you choose who operates in a specific network (Health Maintenance Organization or HMO plan) or you may be required to select a primary care provider who will make specialist referrals when necessary (Preferred Provider Organization or PPO plan).

Most health insurance plans cover the basics such as visits to your doctor, clinic or hospital. However, many plans do not include options such as vision, dental and prescription in their coverage, so these would have to be supplemented for you to receive the benefits.

It is important to figure out how much you can afford to pay for monthly premiums in order to select the right coverage option. To cut costs as much as possible, always choose a network provider.

Many health insurance plans do not cover certain types of treatments or provide limited medical coverage, so it is important to keep this in mind when making your selection. Common exclusions and limitations include things such as cosmetic or other elective surgeries, alternative medical therapies, dental, vision and prescriptions. Additional coverage may have to be purchase to receive these benefits.

Dental insurance covers a part or all of the costs associated with dental care including preventative care, basic and major restorative services and orthodontic services.

Provides coverage for costs associated with vision care including services and products such as eye exams, frames, lenses and contacts.

Covers part or full costs associated with filling prescriptions for pharmaceutical drugs ranging from high-cost to generic alternatives.

Preventive and wellness coverage provides ongoing care and screening services such as blood testing, blood pressure monitoring and immunizations, to prevent serious health problems as well as health concerns linked to age, gender, family history and medical history. This option also covers regular monitoring for signs of disease and provides treatment at the earliest stage possible.

Provides health insurance coverage for periods between 1 to 11 months and is essential during times when individual or family insurance are not an option.

A deductible is the amount that you must contribute to your medical expenses before the insurer begins to pay. This amount is typically set at a specific maximum with many high tier plans having no deductible at all.

The coinsurance is the portion or percentage of medical expenses that you and your insurance provider share once the deductible amount is paid. Coinsurance does not apply to full-coverage policies.

A copayment, also known as a copay, is a set fee, which is usually very modest, that is payable for each doctor’s visit or prescription. Copays are not considered a part of a deductible amount.

The out-of-pocket maximum is the highest amount you can possibly pay for medical and health care services during a single policy period. This means that your insurer pays for the total cost of your covered medical expenses over this amount.