If you want to continue to see and use the same doctors, hospitals, other healthcare providers, and pharmacies you have, make sure they are in the plan’s network. In-network care and medicines are covered by a health plan, but out-of-network services usually cost more or may not be covered at all.

There are several costs that you will have to pay, so it’s important to think about the total costs when you choose a plan.

• Premiums are the amount you pay to the insurance company each month to be covered by the plan, whether or not you use medical and pharmacy services.

• Deductibles are the costs you must pay for covered health services before your health plan pays anything. See if the plan has combined medical and pharmacy deductibles or if you have separate deductibles for each.

• Co-insurance is the percentage of the costs you pay after your health plan has paid its share, and kicks in once you meet your deductible.

• Copayments are the set amount you pay for healthcare visits, medicines, and supplies. For example, you may have a copayment of $20 for each doctor’s visit.

Each plan has a list of medicines, called a formulary, that the insurer covers. The covered medicines are put in tiers, which determine how much your copay or coinsurance must pay.

Make a list of your current medicines and check them with the plan’s formulary to make sure they are covered and to see how much you will pay out-of-pocket for them.

ACA health plans are grouped into 4 categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These categories show how you and your plan share costs. While you may think picking a plan with a lower monthly premium, like a bronze plan, will save you money, that may not be true. You need to think about the total costs you and your family spent last year on healthcare, including your medicines before picking a plan.