Okay, your family need health insurance. So you decide to look on different websites and are just confused by all the terms. You and your family may have a daunting task of understanding all the terms for health insurance.

What does all the terms mean? What is copay? What is deductible? What is coinsurance?

I am going to give you some clarity for some basic terms.

When you visit your doctor, you will be responsible for a copay.

Thus, co-pay or co-payment is the amount an insured individual must pay toward the cost of a particular benefit. For example, a plan might require a $10 co-pay for each doctor's office visit.

Ask how much deductible your family will be responsible for? What is a deductible? It is the dollar amount an insured individual must pay for covered expenses during a calendar year before the plan begins paying co-insurance benefits. Deductible: The amount that the policy-holder must pay out-of-pocket before the health plan pays its share.

Essentially, co-insurance is the percentage of covered expenses an insured individual shares with the carrier. (i.e., for an 70/30 plan, the health plan member's co-insurance is 30%.) If applicable, co-insurance applies after the insured pays the deductible and is only required up to the plan's stop loss amount.

Individuals and families must purchase individual health plans if insurance is not available through an employer. The best way to shop for health insurance is go online and compare the features and benefits. I advised you to speak to an insurance agent.

The best way to shop for health insurance is go online and compare the features and benefits. I advise you to speak to professional insurance agent.