however, most individuals who purchase insurance either on the group side or individually, purchase far more insurance than they need. By "far more" I'm talking about co-pays and low deductibles. If an individual compares the premiums for a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) versus one with a lower deductible and co-pays, there can be a premium difference of almost 50% in many cases, with the HDHP being the lower of the two. When you purchase a lower deductible plan with co-pays, you are often times paying for coverage you don't need. My suggestion is to compare a traditional health insurance plan with co-pays (doctor/Rx) with a HDHP. You'll be surprised at the difference in monthly premiums. The sooner an individual wants the insurance company to start paying, the higher the premiums will be. The more cost the individual is willing to shoulder, such as doctor visits and Rx, the less the premium will be. Consider a HDHP and a HSA. I personally have a HDHP with a HSA. My deductible is $2500, and I put $125/month into my HSA, which is a pre-tax contribution. I use my HSA to pay for doctor visits and Rx. All money in my HSA that isn't used during a calendar year rolls into the next year. Many folks confuse a HSA with a FSA (flexible spending account). They work in similar ways but with different results. A HDHP with HSA is available for those purchasing their own insurance. For those interested in purchasing individual converage, I recommend they meet with a knowledgeable agent who will take the time necessary to explain the difference between the two plans...one's with co-pays and HDHP's.