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When you are shopping for an Individual Health Plan, you need to consider 5 Important questions:

1. Do I want short-term or long-term coverage?
Decide whether you want coverage for the long haul or for a set period. If you choose a long-term plan, your coverage is guaranteed renewable, If you choose a short-term plan, it may be easier to apply and your coverage may star faster,but you can't renew your plan when you coverage ends.

2. How much am I prepared to pay out of my own pocket?
Health Insurance premium work similar to car insurance premiums: the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. The key is to find a balance between the deductible you are prepared to pay and the premium you can afford. If you want a higher deductible, but you are concerned about saving enough to cover it, consider a plan that's compatible with a Health Saving Account (HSA).

3. Are my doctors in the network?
Most individual health plans are Preferred Provider Organization or PPO Plans. When you go to a "preferred" or "in network" provider in your plan's network:

You plan cover a larger share of the cost
The provider can"t "balance bill" you for amounts over what the plan allows
If you want certain doctors, make sure they're in the network for the plan you're considering.

4. How do I want to pay for doctor's office visits?
You are probably familiar with co-payments: Set amount you pay directly to providers when you need medical care. When you shop for Individual Health Insurance, you'll probably have a choice of plans. Some have co-payments for doctor's office visits, while others require you to meet a deductible first. The type of plan you choose is a matter of personal preference.

5. What optional coverage do I need?
With most employer-based health insurance, things like vision and dental coverage may be part of the plan. But this coverage is optional with many Individual Health Plans and may cost additional monthly premium.