PremiumsFrederic Cirou | Photoalto | Getty ImagesThe premium is the sum you pay an insurer each month to participate in a health plan. It's perhaps the most transparent and easy-to-understand cost component of a health plan — the equivalent of a sticker price. The average co-insurance rate for consumers is 19% for primary care and 20% for specialty care, according to KFF data. For example, would you struggle to pay a $1,000 medical bill if you require health care? If so, a health plan with a larger monthly premium and a smaller deductible may be your best bet, Sun said.

---

Persons: Frederic Cirou, Karen Pollitz, Luis Alvarez, you've, KFF, Pollitz, McClanahan, there's, Winnie Sun, She's, Sun, Carolyn McClanahan Organizations: Sdi, Photoalto, Kaiser Family Foundation, CNBC, Digitalvision, Getty, Kaiser Family Foundation Health, Network Health, Sun Group Wealth Partners, CNBC's FA Locations: Aetna, Irvine , California, CNBC's