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Everyone is aware that health insurance is getting more and more expensive. And though cost should not be the only factor you consider when choosing a health insurance plan, for most families it is a very important issue.

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The next time you're searching for affordable health coverage, consider the following money-saving tips:

1. Compare Multiple Health Insurance Quotes Premiums can vary greatly by provider, sometimes as much as 50% for similar plans. When comparing plans, be sure to evaluate the benefits as well as the monthly premium. Make sure your plan provides adequate catastrophic coverage, with at least a $2 million lifetime maximum benefit if possible. InsWeb.com provides a quick and easy way to compare health insurance quotes from multiple providers.

2. Raise Your Deductible The higher your deductible, the less your monthly premium will set you back. If you do raise your deductable, keep in mind that you will be responsible for medical bills out of pocket until the deductible is reached. However, there are plans that will waive the deductible for office visits, preventive care, prescription drugs, and/or accidental injuries.

3. Factor in Co-Insurance Co-insurance is the amount the insurance company will pay after you meet your deductible. Most companies will pay 80% of the medical bill after the deductible, up to a typical annual maximum of $5,000 to $10,000. Medical bills in excess of this annual maximum will be covered 100% by the insurance company. Some companies offer 50% co-insurance plans which may lower the monthly premium. But if you visit your doctor frequently, that type of policy may actually cost you more in the long run.

4. Make Sure the Policy Includes Your Doctors Most health insurance plans contract with a network of "preferred providers." These "PPO" plans pay more of the medical costs if you use the services of doctors within the network. If you go to a doctor or hospital outside the network, the insurance company may only cover part of the bill.

5. Consider Separate Policies for Individual Family Members In some instances, it may be more affordable to purchase separate health insurance plans for your family members as age plays a role in determining how much a policy costs. You might save if the older members of your family purchase their own policies. Or get health insurance coverage for children 18 and under.

6. Don't Assume Employer-Provided Health Insurance Is Always the Best Deal Employers providing health care benefits will pay all or part of the premium for the employee but often do not contribute toward dependents. Sometimes, adding your dependents to your employer plan can be expensive. If your dependents are relatively healthy, you may save money by purchasing an individual or family policy separate from the employers' plan.

7. Consider a Health Savings Account A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows you to set aside money in a tax-sheltered, interest-earning account that you can draw on to pay most medical expenses. Because it works with a high-deductible health plan, you pay lower premiums than you would with a more comprehensive health plan. In addition, the savings you accrue minimizes the risk of not being able to cover unexpected medical bills.

8. Reduce Coverage Denial Obtaining health coverage can be a challenge for people with serious health issues such as AIDS, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy or other chronic conditions. The rate of insurance denial can be as high as 60%, but individuals with serious issues often can get approved if they provide an adequate explanation of past medical history. For example, be sure to explain clearly when a condition has been resolved and requires no further treatment or medication. If you are unable to obtain health insurance, check with your state's high risk pool, but understand that these plans can be expensive.

9. Look at COBRA Alternatives COBRA is a continuation of an employer-sponsored plan for a former employee where the premiums are usually paid entirely by the participant. If the COBRA participant is relatively healthy, they can usually save money by purchasing an individual policy instead of accepting the COBRA plan. Keep in mind, insurance companies may refuse to provide coverage based on your health history. Therefore, those with serious health issues or expenses should stay with their COBRA option or enter their state's high risk pool.

10. Check Government Assistance Health Programs Those at or below the poverty line have access to government health care assistance, but some states offer programs for those above the poverty line as well. Usually, this assistance is in the form of a subsidy that will pay part of the premiums for traditional health insurance. Check with your state's health department for specific details.

— For more ways to save, spend, invest and borrow, visit MainStreet.com.