When you start your search for affordable health care coverage, a lot of people often go with the first cheap health insurance quote and don't do enough research to find the best health insurance coverage for their needs. Your health insurance coverage options depend greatly on your life circumstances. Here are common life circumstances and their different health insurance coverage options:

• Working: Employer (Best Choice), Independent Health Insurance Coverage (when you go to an insurance company and buy health insurance not through an employer), Health Insurance Marketplace, State-Sponsored Plan (Medicaid and CHIP), or Self-Insure
• Self Employed: Private (when you go to an insurance company and buy health insurance not through an employer), Health Insurance Marketplace, State-Sponsored Plan (Medicaid and CHIP), Self-Insure
• Not Working: Employer through Cobra, Independent Health Insurance Coverage (when you go to an insurance company and buy health insurance not through an employer), Health Insurance Marketplace, a State-Sponsored Plan (Medicare and CHIP), Self-Insure, or Medicare if eligible
• College: Cobra (through Family's Health Insurance Provider), Health Insurance Marketplace, a State-Sponsored Plan (Medicare and CHIP), university-sponsored student health plans, or Self-Insure12

Now that you know more about your health insurance needs, it is time to think about finding an insurance company that provides the best health insurance coverage for your needs. Knowing more about the financial strength of an insurance company is a must. Also, the best way to find the best health insurance coverage for you is to learn how to compare key areas in health care insurance that are important to you.

Are you ready to start calling for a health insurance quote? Or, if the insurance you are researching is offered by your employer, are you ready to see if you want your employer's choice? When you are ready to make the call to your chosen health insurance providers, have ready a list of questions you need answers to. Asking what is excluded ​in their health insurance plan and their choice of health care doctors are key areas to get answers to when talking to health insurance companies.

Now that you have your health insurance plan, be prepared and take the time to understand your health insurance coverages. It is always best to review your health insurance plan with your employer health insurance representative or the agent who helped you obtain the health insurance plan. Another good idea is to just read it yourself. Most health insurance information packets seem overwhelming, but usually are that way because they are written to help one understand the health insurance plan thoroughly.

Most doctor's offices will file your health insurance claim for you and just charge you the amount you are supposed to pay out of pocket according to your health insurance plan. Sometimes, though, you will need to file your health insurance claim yourself. An example of such a time would be if you chose to go to a doctor that is not in your health insurance plan's network of doctors you can use. If you find you do have to file your health insurance claim yourself, in most cases you will need to pay the full amount of the visit first to the doctor or specialist. Then, you will need to obtain a form from your insurance company and fill out the appropriate information to file your claim. If your claim is approved, your health insurance company will reimburse you, or send you the amount of the claim that is covered under your health insurance policy.

If you need to challenge your insurance company’s decisions because a health insurance claim was denied, it is important to have a handy record of all procedures performed. Keeping a personal medical log will be helpful.