Before the internet, it was much more difficult to compare various medical insurance plans.  In a way, this was a good thing because it made life simple.  Now, simply by entering ones zipcode, one is able to see virtually every health insurance company and plan available.  For many people, the shear volume of information can be overwhelming.  Yes, it is possible to do side-by-side comparisons, but this doesn't help much if you're not sure what you're comparing in the first place.  If you prefer to shop online, you may want to follow these tips to make the most of your online health insurance quotes:

• If you already have health insurance, know what you have.  This is probably the most important thing to do since there is otherwise no way to judge the value of competing quotes.  Knowing your monthly premium is a start, but you will also want to know what your Deductible and co-insurance amounts are.  Also important is understanding your current plans prescription coverage.  These three things will determine price more than anything else.
• If you don't have a plan, write down what's important to you before you begin.  Different plans cover different things.
• Familiarize yourself with health insurance terminology.  This will help you a great deal in understanding how health insurance works after you buy it.  It always pays to be an informed consumer.
• If you find a plan you like, make sure your doctors and hospitals are in its network
• You available tools to narrow your search as much as possible.  This way you will avoid information overload.  Sites like eHealth allow you to do this.
• Take notes.