When consumers are searching for affordable health insurance quotes, they may end up selecting a policy with a high deductible. Such coverage tends to be less expensive in terms of monthly premiums because the deductible is high.

According to a report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, Californians on such plans are more likely to delay care. In some cases, a deductible can be as high as $5,000. However, when the health insurance exchanges are in place, a cap of $2,000 for individual plans and $4,000 will apply to family insurance plans.

Health Policy Research Center scientist Dylan Roby says in some cases, a plan that requires higher monthly payments may yield savings in the long-run.

"Many Californians can't afford higher-premium plans, especially in the current economic climate," says Roby. "But the alternative - high-deductible plans - may cost less initially, but can cost thousands of dollars when you need health care. When that much money is on the line, a health emergency can also become a financial emergency."

Another way consumers can save on medical expenses is with a health savings account. The program allows consumers to deposit funds without a tax penalty.

Flexible spending accounts have received a deal of attention recently. While the plans are not new, a number of employers are beginning to offer them as part of their overall benefits package.

The flexible spending accounts have been a money-saving vehicle for many families who struggle to find affordable health insurance quotes and ways to cover medical expenses. The program allows people to deposit funds tax-free and then apply the money towards medical care.

In addition to using the money to cover co-pays from doctor's visits or services not otherwise covered by insurance, it is also commonplace for people to use the allocated money towards over-the-counter medications.

However, people will soon lose their ability to use their flexible spending accounts on over-the-counter medications unless they have a prescription for the drug.

Some people have refrained from setting aside money in such accounts because of their "use it or lose it" nature. However, they can offer significant savings if one is planning on having a procedure or knows he or she will need new glasses, for example. It may be wise for consumers to experiment with a small amount of money to adjust to using the account.

More people are using health savings account programs. Data from the Consumer Driven Healthcare Institute shows that individual and family health savings account programs are gaining momentum.

Between the first and second quarters of this year, individual health savings account and family health savings account programs each increased 4 percent. CDHCI academic advisor board chair Steve Parente says that the rapid growth of such plans is a way for people to save money.

"As healthcare deductibles continue to rise and consumers become increasingly responsible for out-of-pocket healthcare costs, we believe this trend will continue with consumers seeking ways to maximize their pre-tax dollars for use in current and future health-related spending and investment," says Parente.

Health savings accounts have been around since the end of 2003 and help reduce medical costs by allowing people to fund accounts tax-free. Furthermore, funds in such accounts can be used to pay for future healthcare expenses as well. A health savings account can be signed up for at some banks and credit unions in addition to being offered by some employer benefits packages.

For those struggling to find affordable health insurance quotes, it's important  to find ways to save on insurance. One way people can do this is through a flexible spending account.

Such accounts allow consumers to put pre-tax dollars towards their healthcare costs. The money can be used to help cover co-payments as well as other long-term care expenses. Despite these cost-saving benefits, a recent survey found that 86 percent of respondents don't fully understand how the accounts work.

WageWorks CEO Joe Jackson says people should get informed on flexible spending accounts as a way save money.

"At a time when Americans are looking for ways to cut their health care costs, it's important that employees take advantage of all the benefits available to them," says Jackson. "Flexible spending accounts are designed to help Americans save up to 40 percent on the health care they need and already pay for out of their own pockets."

In addition to participating in such programs during open enrollment period employees should also make sure they are selecting a plan that best meets their needs. Those who don't frequently need medical care can save money by going with a plan that has a higher deductible.