Wow, it's much cheaper if you're a single male (no maternity benefits included) in Calif. at least (and Wyoming and Mass. from experience). I have a Blue Cross

Wow, it's much cheaper if you're a single male (no maternity benefits included) in Calif. at least (and Wyoming and Mass. from experience). I have a Blue Cross PPO right now for $85/month. They are upping the rate to $140. I will be leaving on principle. I plan on getting a high-deductible/HSA plan. If the deductible is $X I will put $X into an HSA. Thus any care I might need over the next year will "feel" free. If I'm lucky and my current health trend continues I will not need to take any money out of the HSA. And it will simply be a tax benefit. In future years I'd replenish the HSA up to or over the deductible level of whatever my present plan is. I would look at the high-deductible/HSA options. Assuming you have the cash around to buy the policy and stock the HSA with cash you'll not have to worry about health bills until next year. Psychologically, this could be comforting. Whether it makes sense probably depends on how much you and your family actually use insurance. And the specific costs of the plans available to you.