1. Compare the cost of premiums. Premiums are what your health care provider charges you for health insurance coverage. If your family situation has changed such as a birth, job change, or illness will you be able to afford the costs? Make sure the cost is reasonable for your family.
2. Compare the cost of their co-payments. Co-payments are the set amount of money which you must pay out of pocket in order to receive medical services with your health plan. Make sure this is an affordable amount that you should have available at any given time.
3. Check how their referrals work. Being referred to a specialist for certain medical conditions happens often. You want to be sure that you have options when having to see another doctor.  Ask yourself, "Will you only be able to see certain doctors in the area." If you have a preferred doctor that is not on the list then you will have to pay out of pocket or opt for a different doctor.
4. Check into their other benefits. Some health insurance covers flu shots and other wellness items that help to prevent illness. Make sure to compare these benefits as well. The little things can make a big difference to the quality of your policy.
5. Check into their disease management options. Though it is not something that we would like to think about, it is an important concern that needs to be addressed in your coverage. In the even that someone is ill or even giving birth, these are extra services that are costly out of pocket. Compare what the providers will and will not pay for.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Aetna blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.