Choosing between different health insurance plans isn't too easy. That's because there are so many different options on the market. Just sorting through all the plans can be a discouraging task.

There is no one good answer to the best health insurance design, as all designs must meet the wishes of the individual.

On the other hand, asking a few questions could help determine the insurance plan that would be best for you.

First, will you need a health insurance strategy that offers long term coverage, or just something to last a few months? If you are between jobs, you should then choose short term coverage. But If you have no prospects of receiving group health insurance coverage from an employer, you may value the stability and improved benefits offered through an individual or family health insurance plan, which will offer longer term coverage.

Next, are you looking for basic coverage, or something more comprehensive? Some health insurance plans offer only basic coverage, like hospitalization and outpatient surgery treatment, in case of major accident or illness. However, other plans are more extensive in their coverage, including items like physician services, routine office visits, and preventative care. Of course the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the monthly premium.

Another question to ask is, do you want to pay for services before you use them, or just when you use them? Normally, the higher the monthly premium that you pay for your health insurance, the less you pay for a doctor's visit as co-payments or deductibles. If you are pretty healthy and don't foresee making frequent use of your insurance, a higher deductible plan with a lower monthly premium may be more appropriate.

And finally, what is the most you could pay in case of a serious illness or injury? Health insurance plans usually place limits on how much a member is obligated to pay out per year for their healthcare. This limit is known as an out-of-pocket maximum. Once you've paid this maximum amount toward your healthcare, the health insurance company normally covers all other costs for the rest of the benefit year. So if you're concerned about what may happen in case of a serious illness or major injury, you may want to pay close attention to the out-of-pocket maximums for the health insurance plans you're considering.

Summarizing, to find the best health insurance plan for your needs, you need to answer the above questions. Only then can you determine the right plan for you.