<prompt> Human: Hey there, PF,I recently hit 90 days with my company and I have the chance to sign up for insurance. At first glance, the rates look like poo. I did a quick search online and it seems like I could do better by shopping elsewhere. So, what have I missed?Im 28, single and healthy. Aside from copays for check-ins, Ive only been used insurance once in the past 6ish years.The company pays 64 for health insurance, the remainder is paid by me at a rate of 234 a month. Dental is 30 a month and vision is 7. Those I figured would be worth it.So, is 234 too much? Could I reasonably beat that elsewhere? Am I overlooking something?Thanks!Thanks.  <response>: Corporate benefits analyst here! First and foremost, you need to see a physician every year no matter what age you are. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, annual physicals are covered 100 with no copay. Silly things such as physicals can catch a wide array of issues before they have a chance to do real harm. Just wanted to mention that.After that, think about what else you would use insurance for. From the sounds of it, you are not going to use the Health Insurance outside the free annual physical. Having said that, the cheapest option would be a High Deductible Health Plan HDHP. These are health plans with a 1,300 Deductible what you would have to pay before the insurance pays out with an H.S.A. Health Savings Account attached. These will have the lowest premiums in exchange for you incurring the additional risk in case of an emergency. Then ask yourself, if I break my arm can I afford that Deductible?At 264 a month, you may or may not be able to find something cheaper through a Private Insurance Carrier. It sounds like the plan is not an HDHP that your employer is offering, more like a PPO Preferred Provider or an HMO Health Maintenance. These plans will have lower Deductibles, but higher monthly premiums.Lastly, make sure you can elect Dental and Vision separate from the Health Insurance through your employer if you find a cheaper deal elsewhere. Some employers will bundle these options together and not allow you to elect one or the other. Lastly, check to see if your employer offers a Opt-Out Bonus for not electing their plan. Some employers offer additional incentives for not going on their plan.Obviously there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing insurance plans. But please remember that under the PPACA, you must have health insurance or pay a penalty on your tax return. You always want to have health insurance, whether it is through your employer or in the Exchange; please make sure you get it. Shit happens, and when it does; you want to be covered. Please let me know if you have any questions! 