Family health insurance costs can be a little bit daunting if you’re just starting a family and looking for cheap family health insurance quotes. Yes – family health insurance is more expensive than individual insurance. This isn’t just because there are more people. As a family your healthcare needs will be diverse, and if you have a new baby on the way you are going to get to know the inside of a doctor’s office very well!

Cheap family health insurance quotes are easy to find, but you need to spend some time learning about how family health plans work before you make a commitment. Here are a few questions to ask when faced with an insurance quote:

What’s the Deductible?

The deductible, if you’re not familiar with this term, is simply an amount that you pay yourself when you make a claim. For example, if you make a claim of $750, but your deductible is $250, you will pay $250 and your insurance provider will pay the rest (provided you are covered). A lower deductible means higher premiums. Simply put, a higher deductible will cost you more if you go to the doctor often, while a lower deductible might be sensible if you need frequent medical care.

Do Pre-existing Conditions Matter?

Some health plans don’t allow you to join if you have a pre-existing condition, or may make you wait up to a year before you can claim against that condition. Check the fine print on any affordable family health insurance plans.

Do I Need Scans and Screens?

As a family, who knows what treatment you’ll need. Some plans don’t cover preventative screening very well, so your blood test or your daughter’s x-rays could end up costing you a fortune. Make sure there is at least some coverage for preventative screening, as this can get very expensive.