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A low premium may be attractive, but other factors should be considered when choosing a health plan, such as ensuring your trusted clinicians are included in the plan’s network and calculating all of the costs. I’ve found that those who have predictable clinical needs may pay less out of pocket if they enroll in a plan with a higher premium but more generous coverage for needed care.

I suggest calling your doctor’s office directly to ask if they are in your health plan’s network—don’t assume the insurer’s provider directory online is always up-to-date. Paying the in-network rate will help save you significantly.

If you’re eligible for a health plan through your job or a spouse or parent’s job, I’ve found that’s often the cheapest way to get the best health insurance.

If you have prescriptions, I would check with the insurance company to confirm that they’re covered and see how much you would have to pay out of pocket. You don’t want to discover later that you have huge out-of-pocket payments for prescriptions that aren’t covered.

A health plan’s benefit design plays an important role in terms of a plan’s flexibility. For instance, an HMO typically costs less than a PPO but an HMO comes with primary care referrals to see specialists and you generally must stay within the plan’s network. I suggest considering those factors when deciding on a plan.