Health Insurance Research

Once upon a time, a health insurance plan offered by an employer was almost always the best option for couples and families. Group plans were able to offer affordable, broad coverage with low deductibles, and many employers paid a substantial share of the premiums.

That was then. Now, in the age of two-career families, soaring health care costs, and the changes Obamacare has brought to the health insurance market, the choices are much more complicated. It's up to consumers to do the research to find the best options for themselves and their families.

Here are some suggestions to help with that research:

1. If both spouses are employed and both employers offer insurance, start by comparing the employers' plans. Don't just pick the lower premium and call it good, either. I'd suggest setting up a spreadsheet or chart to make it easier, and dig into the details of each plan. Compare the following:

The specifics of what is covered and what is excluded

Copays for office visits, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and medications

In-network and out-of-network costs

Deductible amounts

Annual out-of-pocket maximums

Also investigate each company's employee policies related to health insurance. Some employers have restrictions or added costs that affect the availability of insurance for family members. Examples to look for include:

Not covering spouses who can get insurance from their own employers

Surcharges to cover spouses or dependents

Income-adjusted premiums

2. Evaluate your health care history and probable needs for the coming year. Ask your current health insurance company for the explanation of benefits for the past year, or go through your checkbook and list all your health care expenses. Then get out your crystal ball and consider what kinds of health care your family might need in the near future.

You can't predict everything, obviously, but you can at least make educated guesses about probable expenses like routine checkups, regular medications, visits to specialists, and elective surgeries. Take your lifestyle into account, as well. If you travel a lot, for example, you may need to use out-of-network health care more often.

3. Make sure the plans' networks include all your doctors, including specialists like dermatologists as well as your family clinic. You can get this information from the insurance companies, but it's often easier to call the doctors' offices and ask which insurance companies they have agreements with.

4. Check out plans offered through your state's insurance exchange. If you don't qualify for subsidies, these plans may be more expensive than employer plans. Don't assume this to be the case, though; find out.

5. Investigate Health Savings Accounts . An HSA offers a tax-advantaged way to save money for out-of-pocket medical costs. It is available to those covered by health insurance plans with high deductibles (currently $1,300 for individuals and $2,600 for families). However, not all high-deductible plans are eligible for HSA's.

Annual pretax contributions to HSA's are capped at $3,350 for individuals and $6,650 for families (plus another $1000 for those over 55). There is no time limit for withdrawing the funds, which are not taxed if they are used for medical costs. Before you open an HSA, make sure you're eligible, and look for low investment fees. Ironically, because of the tax advantages, you may get the most benefit from an HSA by not using it for health care expenses but leaving the funds in the account to grow.

Doing this much research before choosing a health insurance plan may seem daunting. Yet it's well worth your time. The more informed you are, the better able you are to select the best available coverage at the lowest cost.