Calculate all your health costs

Very low premiums may be attractive at first, but what really matters is the combination of premium plus your likely out-of-pocket spending on health care below the deductible. Remember: you pay all of those costs from your own pocket. So while it's tempting, don't shop on premium alone.

Add up all of your potential costs under a policy, including deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance and any other cost-sharing obligations.

The costs to you include low limits. For example, if you have an operation that costs €5000, there may be a limit generally or on that type of procedure of €3000 - the extra €2000 comes out of your pocket.

You do not get money back if the cost of the operation is below the limit