I've been without a traditional health plan for quite a while. There's actually been a lot of innovation in this space recently. For example, in some locales

I've been without a traditional health plan for quite a while. There's actually been a lot of innovation in this space recently. For example, in some locales you can subscribe to a "direct primary care" practice for a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids) for around $150 per month, and visit your primary care provider as much as you need, paying only for supplies or possibly a token per-visit amount. This, combined with a legitimate "insurance" plan with a high deductible, might set a family back less than half as much as a traditional all-inclusive health plan. (This is what I had in Seattle, with Qliance as my direct primary care provider.) My son recently needed a physical to start school. As a self-pay patient now located in Denver, I called around to independent clinics in my area and was able to get a fairly good price ($110 total out of pocket, paid up front.) My wife was recently able to be treated for an ear infection for around $80. If you're actually paying out of pocket it can be a little bit of work, but there are ways to get your costs down to close to "free market" levels.