Health insurance already saves you a lot of money compared to paying for health care costs on your own. But there are also ways you can use your plan to save even more money, time and peace of mind. Below, we’ll share our top strategies, tips and tricks to manage health care costs while still getting great care, so you can make your health insurance work better for your needs and your wallet.

The more you know about your health plan, the more you can take advantage of all that it offers. That’s why it’s important to regularly review your covered benefits.

Nearly all health plans offer online access through the web or a mobile app. Your online account can give you easy access to your plan details, including:

Health insurers negotiate with certain health care providers to care for the insurer’s plan members at lower rates. This group of providers is called your network.

By joining a health insurance plan, you can take advantage of these lower in-network rates. Even if you’re still responsible for some out-of-pocket costs, you’ll save money when you receive care in network compared to what you’d pay without health insurance or if you see an out-of-network provider.

That’s why it’s a good idea to always try to choose in-network doctors for your care and check your plan’s network regularly. For example, checking whether your providers are still in network during your plan’s annual open enrollment period is a good rule of thumb.

Some health conditions, like a sprained ankle or a cold, are obvious. But others aren’t. That’s where preventive care comes in. This kind of care refers to proactive physicals, screenings and immunizations that seek to reduce future health care problems. It’s precautionary care for conditions you don’t have yet.

Common types of preventive care include:

Knowing where to go when you need care can also make a big difference in how much you pay. Having a primary care doctor in your plan’s network is a good first step. But it’s also important to know what to do if something unexpected happens.

To get started, take a closer look at your plan to see how different types of care are covered and what options are in your plan’s network. For example, emergency rooms are the best places to go for life-threatening injuries and health conditions. But they’re also more expensive. So if your health concern isn’t severe, choosing telemedicine, a primary care clinic or an urgent care clinic can save you money.

By taking time to learn which options are best for different health care needs, you can make more informed choices when you need care.

Timing can be key to saving money with your health insurance. By keeping a close eye on your plan spending, you can make strategic decisions on when to get care that saves you money. Here’s how:

1. Know what your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are for your plan each year.
2. Regularly check your progress toward these amounts.
3. If your regular care puts you past your deductible, any remaining covered care or medical supplies will have more favorable cost sharing for the rest of your plan year.
4. Then, if you reach your in-network out-of-pocket maximum, your plan will pay for all covered care for the rest of your plan year. (If you reach your out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum, your plan will still pay for all covered usual and customary charges, but you may be billed by your provider for any remaining amounts – also known as balance billing.)

Most health insurance plans do more than just help make your trip to the doctor more affordable. Many offer a large selection of no-cost programs, perks and discounts that put healthier living within reach.

For example, your plan may offer:

If you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), you can open a health savings account (HSA). For other health plans, your employer may offer a flexible spending account (FSA). Both types of accounts allow you to set aside pretax money to help pay for qualified health care expenses. That means you can put more of what you earn towards paying for the care you need.

Check with your health insurance carrier or employer to see if you’re eligible to open an HSA or FSA. If you are eligible, they can provide you the information you need to get started.

Comparing different pharmacies’ prices, choosing generics, having your prescriptions delivered to you by mail, and using drug cost calculators are some of the ways you can spend less for the same medicines you depend on.