Health Insurance Buyer?s Guide

deductibles than other insurance plans because they offer fewer benefits and require you to use the money in your HSA to pay for certain qualified medical services. However, if you don’t need to visit the doctor frequently and don’t anticipate requiring regular medical attention, HSA plans are a cost-effective method of insuring against the worst without paying for coverage you won’t use.

In order to open an HSA, you’ll need to have an HSA-compatible health insurance plan.  You may only use the funds in your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses. Usually, your HSA plan will have a deductible that, once met, requires your insurance company to pay for any additional qualified medical expenses for the rest of the year.

Dental Insurance

Health insurance typically does not cover dental services, but in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need regular visits to the dentist.  Without dental insurance, regular dentist appointments can prohibitively expensive. Make sure your mouth is covered by shopping for both health and dental insurance.

Dental insurance is similar to health insurance in that each month you pay a premium, which entitles you to certain dental benefits.  Benefits include checkups, cleanings, x-rays, and other dental services.  There are plans that may cover dental implants, oral surgery and orthodontia, but they will be more expensive.  Like health insurance, plans are