The total cost of a health insurance policy is a combination of policy premiums and out-of-pocket expenses such as coinsurance, annual deductibles, and copayments.

When comparing health care insurance providers and policies, be sure to ask these ten essential questions:

1. What is the out-of-pocket cost of seeing a physician?
2. What is the out-of-pocket cost of an x-ray?
3. What is the out-of-pocket cost of a lab test?
4. What is the out-of-pocket cost of outpatient surgery?
5. What is the out-of-pocket cost of a hospital stay?
6. Does your health insurance plan provide wellness benefits? What are they?
7. What is the out-of-pocket cost of prescription drugs?
8. Are you responsible for paying an annual deductible? How much is it?
9. Is there a maximum annual out-of-pocket amount you are responsible for? How much is it?

By matching the answers to these essential questions to the health requirements of you and your family, and you will be able to better compare health insurance policies.