Can I afford to pay more per use? Am I relatively healthy with good odds of avoiding many doctor visits? If so, then paying a smaller premium with a higher deductible may be for you. In this case, if the deductible is not too high, you stand to save money. (Example A would fall into this category.)

Would I have a lot of office visits? Is it tough to come up with more than a copay if there is an emergency? If so, then paying more per month in exchange for lower copays and more predictability may be the choice for you. (Example B might fall into this category.)

Do I have specific needs that can only be met by one of my plan options? Perhaps you have a certain doctor that you trust, and he only accepts one kind of insurance. Or you may have a condition that is best served by an HMO, even though you really like the flexibility of a PPO. In this case, you will have to base your decision more on what is going to keep you healthy than cost.

Making the right choice for you and your family is generally neither a quick decision nor an easy one. It will take time to lay out all of your requirements and compare how each plan covers them and at what cost. After you lay out your needs, the usage costs and premiums of all the plans, you will most likely have even more questions to ask, at which point you can call the insurance companies directly. Armed with all of your advance preparation and your expanded knowledge of health insurance basics, you shouldn’t have any problems getting the answers you need to make the right decision.