The high cost of health care in today's US economy, coupled with the certainty that sooner or later you or a family member are going to need serious health care services, makes it particularly crucial to choose your health insurance policy wisely.

You may have spent a lot of time thinking about how to choose your ideal health insurance plan, and that makes sense because your primary health insurance policy is foundational. But the fact is, regular health insurance is often not enough. 

The high cost of health care in today's US economy is matched only, it seems, by the highly complex nature of selecting an ideal health insurance policy.

Even the smallest businesses can gain a competitive edge in winning and retaining top industry talent if they offer a valuable benefits package. And the number one benefit employees are looking for is clearly health insurance.

Association health plans (AHPs) have been with us for quite some time, but the rules and qualifications by which they are formed and run are undergoing major changes in 2018 and beyond.

Having an adequate and affordable primary health insurance plan is of first importance, but adding on one or more secondary, or "supplemental" health insurance policies is also often worthwhile.

It's very common for dental and/or vision insurance to be among available employee benefits, and when that's the case, it may be relatively easy to decide on a policy-type. But, what if you need to shop for individual dental insurance? What are the factors to consider in making your choice?

When shopping for health insurance for the year ahead, you obviously have to pay a lot of attention to the features of the plan you select. But the reality is, you're not just choosing a plan - you're choosing a healthcare partner you'll rely on financially in time of need.

Selecting and customizing your health plan each year isn't always a simple, easy to navigate process. In fact, the multiplicity of government regulations and plan summary "fine print" makes it wise to utilize the services of an experienced health plan consultant  to ensure you make the most beneficial decisions.

To be truly competitive in the modern marketplace, businesses must compete for employees as much as for customers. Few things will influence top talent to come to your company and stay there more than an optimally valuable employee benefits package.