It can be quite difficult to find a health plan that includes a lot of coverage for the least amount of expense. Being able to determine what you need most and when isn’t always easy but here is a good breakdown of different stages of life and what insurance services you need to have covered.

Single/No Dependents
If you are in good health, you most likely will get what you need from an HMO, or the least expensive insurance package. Try and stay within the network service providers when seeking treatments such as with your PCP (primary care physician). In the event you need to see a specialist, your PCP can refer you. If you are able to easily stay with your insurance network of providers because all of the doctors you see are listed as part of the network, you should consider choosing a plan that carries a higher deductible for physicians out of the network so you can pay even less in premiums.

Marry/No Dependents
If married couples both are offered insurance plans from their employer, it is important that both plans are reviewed and compared throughly. By choosing which plan has the best coverage for both individuals, you will save money rather than keeping up two separate plans. Some companies will even offer a cash opt-out for those employees who choose not to take coverage from their employer. On the other hand, some companies will hit you with a charge simply for adding your married partner who has alternate insurance options onto your policy.

Married/With Dependents
Married couples with children may choose to have both parents stick with their own employer’s plan and add the kids to one parent’s plan under the employee and family option. Or they can opt to cover the entire family under one plan. It depends on how many members there are in your family to determine whether or not you want to choose an HMO or a PPO. If you have kids away at school who are still covered under your plan, it may be in your best interest to have a low-deductible PPO plan since it is likely that most of the kids providers will be out of the network. The PPO option is also a good choice for families who have special needs children.

Aging Parents/Kids Gone
Once the kids move out of the house and are taking care of their own insurance needs, the parents the left behind will want to find an affordable plan that covers prescription costs and the costs for seeing specialists. Plans that have the lowest prescription co-pays without caps on spending will be the best to consider. When looking over coverage options, remember that finding the lowest premium may not be what you are looking for. A higher premium policy may even out the costs coming out of your pocket. You may also appreciate the ability to see specialists without having to go through your PCP for a referral each time.

Sure it takes time to weed through the plan options for health insurance coverage but the time you invest in choosing the right plan for you will save you hard earned money.