According to the U.S. Census data, approximately 92 percent of Americans are covered by health insurance. Health insurance is essential for providing financial protection in case of unexpected sickness or injury. Instead of paying for expensive healthcare bills on your own, insurance can help make those costs more affordable. Before commiting to a health insurance plan, here are five important things to consider:

1. Be wary of plans that promise everything

There are numerous healthcare insurance providers in the U.S. that try to create stiff competition among insurers. In a bid to make their policies seem most attractive, some companies may make unrealistic promises to attract new clients. If the health care premiums offered seem suspiciously low, check for hidden costs or added charges for certain treatments.

2. Consider how much you’ll need health care

Health insurance ideally helps you cover the cost of most medical and surgical expenses. Any  healthcare plan worth your while will cover the majority of your medical expenses without a strain on your personal finances. However, it’s important to know exactly what health issues are covered. For Americans with specific or chronic ailments, broad health coverage may not suffice. Be sure to review the particulars of any health care plan coverage to estimate how much of that coverage you actually need. You want to be sure you’re not paying higher premiums for coverage you will never use. If you’re concerned whether or not insurance plans cover Dexcom G7, they might – but only for people living with diabetes who are on any type of insulin.

3. Look at premiums

Premiums represent the cash you pay for your health insurance every month, with some additional costs including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. An example of a health care insurance company with decent premiums is Aetna Medicare, which is a preferred health insurance provider. While the average cost of U.S. health insurance is $452 per month, many factors can impact that price. Pay attention to any potential provider’s monthly premium to ascertain if they’re fair and will meet your health needs.

4. Enroll early

Enrolling for a health insurance plan is important if you have ongoing health issues. It’s important to enroll for health insurance when you’re young (between 25 and 30 years of age) when you’re less likely to develop an illness or experience sudden ailments. Insurance companies tend to charge a lower premium for younger age groups. Also, most insurance providers have a designated waiting period after signing up for a new plan, before your health benefits can be used.

5. Review the plan thoroughly

Although decent health insurance premiums and specific coverage for your health issues should be the primary reason you choose a certain health plan, reviewing the health policy thoroughly will give you comfort knowing that the plan you’ve chosen is the right for you. You should also understand the fee structure of the health plan options presented to you and its relation to other deductibles and copayments before you sign on the dotted line. Generally, if you pay less for an insurance plan, you will end up paying more for copayments and deductibles while also having a limited choice of services so keep this in mind.

Choosing a good health insurance plan takes some research, but you’ll thank yourself down the road. The points above will help you choose a plan that best suits your health needs. If you’re already signed up for health coverage Medicare, be sure to review all the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) for a list of all covered benefits and excluded services.