Q. I am looking for health insurance and want to keep my costs down. One of my options is a “saver” plan with a premium that is 20% less than the regular coverage. I am also looking at a hospital only plan which is even less. My agent is advising against the plans. I think it is just because he wants me to pay a higher premium so he can earn a bigger commission.

A. Your agent is looking out for you, in spite of your beliefs.

The Saver plan you refer to does not cover doctor visits, does not cover X-ray & lab unless performed within 14 days of discharge from the hospital or following surgery, and does not cover brand name drugs. The only outpatient coverage you have for major items is chemo & radiation therapy, which is more than most plans like this cover.

You should know that some meds (for which there are no generic equivalents) run several thousand dollars per month. A popular drug for treating colon cancer runs $9,000 per month and drugs for other forms of cancer routinely run $3000 - $4000 per month.

How will you pay for meds that cost more than a monthly mortgage payment if you go ahead and buy a plan like this just to save $100 per month in premiums? Would you buy an auto policy that is only good from midnight to 6 AM? Would you buy a life insurance policy that only pays if you are killed in a hold up?

Why would you want a plan that only gives half coverage?