Almost 90% of all employees in America depend on their employer provided health insurance plan to address their health care needs. That is a good thing, but how do you know if your employer's health insurance company is a good one? How does it compare with others and how can you tell if the premiums are too high? There are easy ways to find out.

Check out the histories of the doctors in the network. Because you will be required to visit doctors in the employer provided healthcare plan it is essential that you are comfortable with their qualifications. After all, it is the professional excellence of the physicians in the network that is the best indication of the company's commitment to providing a high level of service and health care. The AMA and several others directories have the information you need to compare. Some plans allow you to go out of network for a fee. This can be a valuable option if the cost is reasonable.

Make sure that the plan fits with your specific needs. For example, some plans have pre-existing condition criteria that may leave you uncovered for a serious medical condition for a significant period of time. Compare the waiting period of your employer provided health insurance plane with other plans. Also consider the actual cost of care from the health insurance company. It is not just the payroll deduction. Ask about deductibles co-payments and coinsurance which will tell you what your maximum out-of-pocket expenses could be. You can compare these costs easily.

Most people don't think to find out about a company's financial rating but this is a very important point of comparison between companies. A company's financial reputation is a good indication that the health insurance company will be around when you need them and that it has the strength to meet all of their financial obligations. Some companies do fail to pay claims on time and in full and some have failed to pay at all. Again it is not difficult to compare the ratings of various companies through a number of online websites like Moody's or A.M. Best.

Comparing the customer satisfaction rating of your employer provided health insurance is not an exact science. One way to do it is to talk with people who have that plan and those with other plans. Try calling the health insurance company with questions and see if you are put on hold for long periods. If a callback is offered, see how long it take and compare the quality of the answers you receive.

The best healthcare plan is the one that works best for you.