One thing my husband has done is make sure my deductible is as high as possible ($2,600) so we pay more out-of-pocket at the doctor/for meds. When we multiply monthly premiums x 12 with different deductibles and my own need it's like reading the prices for different sizes of the same product at the grocery store; often the bigger one is NOT cheaper. Lowering the deductible and increasing my monthly payments by just "a little" each month when multiplied 12 times, might be more than is gained by the amount one would get by having a lower deductible. Health care is expensive mostly because of all the clerical work needed to be done and the high cost of personnel to do it. They all have to have company health insurance you know :-)