• Your insurance needs will change when your life changes.having fun with baby #7 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether you have private insurance, or are covered by your employer, you should review your health insurance coverage annually. Kimberly Langford, self-described insurance guru and contributing editor of "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" magazine, said in an interview on National Public Radio, "You should definitely be comparing (health insurance) plans if you've had life changes--and even if you haven't--because employers are also really changing the way that they charge dependents for coverage."
  
  

Life Changes

• Prescription drug benefits may be an important part of your ideal plan.take these with fluids image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com
  
  When thinking about changing health insurance plans, consider what services you use the most under your current program. Is a prescription drug benefit important to you? Do you have a chronic condition that requires regular doctor visits, or do you need coverage only for catastrophic care? Will there be any big changes in your life in the next year? If you're getting married, having a child or planning to retire, you'll want to ask about coverage for your new spouse, maternity benefits, child care or Medicare supplements.
  
  

Benefits

• Ask if you can continue to use your current doctor and hospital.doctor with patient 5 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, benefits differ from plan to plan. Some may cover wheelchairs and diabetes equipment, for example, while others don't. Some insurance plans, like HMOs (health maintenance organizations), employ a specific network of doctors. Ask if the new health insurance plan you're considering will cover services by your current doctor, or if there is an additional cost if your doctor is "out of network." Ask if you are covered for treatment in a hospital near your home; this could be important in case of an emergency. If you travel often, you should ask about coverage for medical care out of town or out of country.
  
  

Costs

• Asking specific questions about health care costs can save you money.money image by Barabanschikov from Fotolia.com
  
  Ask specific questions about the cost of your coverage, including these suggestions from MedHealthInsurance.com:
  
  How much is the premium (monthly payment)?
  Are my dependents covered?
  How are dependents defined?
  How much will I pay for each doctor visit or prescription?
  What is the deductible (amount that you must pay before coverage begins)?
  What is the co-payment (amount that you pay for each visit or procedure)?
  What is the maximum the insurer will pay for each claim?
  What is the maximum the insurer will pay over a lifetime?