The cost of health insurance for the average family is huge but necessary in many cases. Every individual’s needs are different, and even when reading health insurance reviews, it can all be very confusing and scary. The opinions of different health insurance companies vary greatly by state, and the options in some states differ from those in others. If you’ve never had to buy health insurance before, the terminology can also be quite difficult to understand.

The Affordable Care Act has been put in place, not only to control skyrocketing health care costs, but also to try to improve the quality of health care. Reforms under the Affordable Care Act have stopped some of the worst abuses by the health insurance industry and given Americans new rights and benefits. As more children get health coverage, annual and lifetime limits on care have ended, and those under 26 can continue to be covered by their parents’ health insurance.

There is still a long way to go for these much-needed changes, but right now, people still have to go through the hassle of finding adequate health coverage for their own needs, and the most important question for an average family is cost. . If there are pre-existing conditions for any of the family members, insurance can be denied, although there is a move to stop that practice by 2014.

Finding health insurance today can often start by looking at insurance reviews online, and the best way to do that is to narrow it down by looking at reviews for your state; otherwise, it’s even more confusing. Some form of health insurance is essential: over 60% of bankruptcies in this country are due to people being unable to pay medical bills.

Women face even greater challenges when it comes to finding an individual insurance plan. Premiums are higher than for men with identical coverage and exclude pregnancy coverage, which must be purchased separately.

Before looking at any health insurance reviews, decide how much debt you can comfortably handle if you have a serious illness or injury. The higher the deductible you can afford, the better, it will lower your premium, but you may end up paying all of your medical bills, real insurance will cover you in the event of a serious illness. If you’ve lost a job but hope to start another where there’s an employer-sponsored plan, simply buy short-term insurance.

Another option may be catastrophic health insurance, which comes in two forms, comprehensive and supplemental. A comprehensive plan offers coverage comparable to more traditional health care plans, with a high deductible and a relatively low monthly cost. A supplemental plan acts as a supplement to other insurance plans you may have.

A good insurance agent will stay on top of all health insurance reviews and know exactly what is available in your state and know which companies to avoid. He will discuss you and your family’s particular needs, discussing your financial situation and then suggesting the best health care policies to meet your needs. Reading health insurance reviews online can give you a little insight, but there’s no substitute for in-depth knowledge and personalized service.