With healthcare costs at an all-time high, it pays to shop around for the best rates. There are many websites that offer you cheap health insurance quotes at the click of a button.

A word of caution, though: As you shop, keep in mind that it’s not wise to settle for just any cheap health insurance; make sure it’s right for your needs. If your insurance doesn’t provide you and your family with adequate coverage when you really need it, you might as well not take out any insurance at all.

First of all, decide what type of health insurance plan you want. Plans generally fall into one of two categories.

• Indemnity (reimbursement) plans let you choose your own doctors and pay for your medical expenses totally, in part, or up to a certain amount per day for a certain number of days.
  
  
• Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and point of service (POS) plans. These all involve an arrangement between the insurer and a selected network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers.