Compare health insurance quotes from multiple companies by typing your ZIP code in the FREE search tool!
Health insurance is complicated and can be very confusing for most consumers. This is why using a health insurance broker can be a smart move, in that he or she can explain the different terms and conditions of each policy so you understand it better. If you are fairly comfortable with insurance and enjoy reading the details of different policies, you may choose to do research on your own online.
Health Insurance Brokers
What is a health insurance broker? A health insurance broker is an individual who helps you find the best insurance plan for your needs. Unlike a health insurance agent from a specific insurance company, a broker is independent. This means that he or she has access to multiple insurance companies rather than just one.
A health insurance broker actually works to find the best policy for you rather than simply pushing the products of one insurance company. This results in better service, better policies, and often a better price.
When you meet with an insurance broker you will be asked a number of questions regarding your health and insurance needs. Some of the questions will be about your past and current health issues, and some will be about what type of budget you have to work with. Some questions you will be asked can be found at the Insurance Information Institute website. If you know the answers to these ahead of time you can spend less time with your broker.
Once the broker gets a better idea of what you want and need, he or she can access the different insurance providers and find the right policy for you. A broker is trained to look at all the options and ascertain the differences between policies.
Using a broker can also be helpful when you find yourself having to file a health insurance claim. If you have any questions about your coverage or the claims processing procedure your broker will be able to help you out.
Finding Affordable Insurance Online
Where can you go to find affordable insurance online? If you prefer to find health insurance on your own, you can do an online search. There are a lot of online companies who advertise affordable health insurance. If you decide to use the internet, make sure you understand the different terms such as deductible, copayment, coinsurance, exclusions, preexisting condition, and what it means for a provider to be in a network.
Be cautious about companies who claim they offer cheap health insurance. If it is cheap, the coverage will probably not be very good. It will probably cover the very basics or only cover you if you are in a major accident.
Most affordable health insurance plans will have a high deductible so you end up paying quite a bit out of your own pocket.
If the cost of a plan seems too good to be true, it may be. Always do research on the insurance company itself to make sure it is legitimate. One way to check out a company is to go to the website for A. M. Best and see what the financial rating is for the company. If it is not a high rating and the outlook is questionable, you will probably want to go with a different insurance company.
Other Sources
What other sources can help with affordable health insurance? If you are going through financial difficulties and cannot find a health insurance policy that you can afford, you may be able to get help through the government. There are a number of 
The government also has programs in place to help certain groups of people. Members and veterans of the military are able to take advantage of government sponsored health care programs, as are Native American Indians.
You can assess the cost of health insurance plans now by filling in your ZIP code in the FREE quote tool box!