text: It depends on what you mean by cheap. Cheap could mean low monthly payments. However, if the insurance doesn’t provide the financial protection you need or the access to the kind of care you want, having the insurance really won’t justify the lower payments. If you’re interested in private insurance, talk with local state-licensed health insurance agents. If you can get insurance through your work that would be the least expensive option, unless you qualify for state-sponsored health insurance. For example, New Jersey has a state-sponsored health insurance program called NJ Family Care that provides low-cost health insurance. Your state insurance department should be able to tell you if they have a similar program.\n\nIf you don’t qualify or are not interested in state-sponsored assistance, many families are choosing HMOs – health maintenance organizations. They have relatively low monthly premiums and include preventive care and regular doctor visits in their plans. However, some people like the freedom of going wherever they want to go for health care, and HMOs offer full coverage only if you visit one of their participating doctors or hospitals. I’ve included a link to a Consumer Reports article about HMOs vs PPOs as well as the newest edition of US News & World Reports Best Health Plans to help you compare plans at a national level.\n\nYou might also want to check out a couple of articles I’ve linked to that provide a good introduction to health insurance – what the different types are, how to find out what type of plan and coverage options are right for you, and how to go about shopping for health insurance.\n\nYou might also want to speak with state-licensed health insurance agents. MostChoice.com is a great way to get in touch with state-licensed insurance agents. You just fill out an information request form and within two days agents will contact you to talk about family health insurance. There’s no cost or obligation, and you can also view instant free quotes on health plans available near you. All you have to do is have your questions ready and tell the agents how much you want to pay and what kind of coverage you expect to get in return.\n\nYou can find it here: http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm\n\nHope this helps,\nBarnes@MostChoice