Ever go to a local garage and see vehicles being serviced? If you've ever had your car's oil changed or any mechanical work done at all, you know that the mechanic who is working on your ride needs at least two things: a certificate of training, and the right tools. If he lacks either of these, you've fallen into a big money pit — too slippery to get out of without suffering pain and loss. Before driving your fancy wheels into the next open bay, you need to have the confidence that the designated grease monkey knows what he's doing.

Central to any health care toolbox is having the right technician and the right tools for the job. Sometimes you need a hammer, and sometimes all you need is just a small pair of needlenose pliers to do the job. And every once in a while, a special tool is required. So your toolbox needs a technician — your doctor or a specialist — who can handle a variety of health care issues. Your tool should work with any health care provider or medical facility anywhere you go — no exceptions.

Secondly, the toolbox should have the right tools. These vary from person to person, but as a general rule, there are a few basics everyone needs>>

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1. Very good medical coverage — this tool should have catastrophic medical care, physician care, and a very good prescription plan. You'd be surprised to know how many variations of this type of health care tool exist in the health insurance world. Talk with your broker to find out which fits you the best; it's not a one-size-fits-all kind of tool.

Due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a very popular version of health insurance growing quickly in the market is the combination of a high-deductible health plan with a health savings account. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. The exchange market is driving a lot of this new business, but be careful you don't buy something now that you can't afford later. According to NerdWallet, medical debt is the No. 1 contributor to personal bankruptcy in America.

2. Additional coverage for extra tools — dental, vision, telemedicine (call a doctor 24/7 for a consultation and possible prescription), critical illness (cancer, heart, kidney failure, and stroke are the big four). Critical illness insurance policies may also cover such conditions as:

  • Heart transplant
  • Coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty
  • Major organ transplant
  • Paralysis

3. Life insurance — if you have an estate, family, bills, or anything else that needs to be protected or paid for (including funeral expenses), you need a way to pay for what's left after you leave Planet Earth. And get a will. Don't let the state take you to the cleaners after you're gone, even if you don't have a lot left. At least give it to family or to charity. Talk with your attorney and tax consultant for long-term planning.

4. Other specialty tools closely aligned with life insurance — AD&D and medical accident policy; short- and long-term disability (in case you can't work); 401(k) or some type of forced savings plan; and a pre-tax savings account for health care (HSA or FSA, based on your health insurance tool).

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5. If you travel outside of the U.S., get a tool that provides coverage globally and pays for whatever might happen — including getting you back home in the case of a medical emergency. This type of tool is very specialized and typically is available in most cases for short-term needs such as vacation travel. If you are an international road warrior, find a company that provides you a tool to keep you from going bankrupt, especially if you get very sick or very hurt.

6. Tools that specialize in non-western types of medicine. The stigma around holistic treatment is disappearing. Many professional health care providers use yoga, meditation, massage, tai chi, acupuncture, and other complementary therapies to assist traditional medical treatment. New and improved accepted philosophies of care are now being used in some cancer centers and other severe illness facilities.

Consider this: Dr. Andrew Weil, a well-known proponent of integrative medicine, has explained that alternative medicine can be thought of as any new or old therapy that is excluded by or used instead of conventional medicine. This includes a vast array of therapies, some of which are more known than others, such as acupuncture, herbal therapy, naturopathy, massage, tai chi and yoga. When any such approach is combined with conventional medicine, it is referred to as complementary.

Central to any toolbox is cost. How affordable are your tools? Even the most expensive tools in the world are not going to help you if you can't afford to buy them. The suggested list in this material is designated as food for thought when you are considering how to protect yourself. By all means, if you can afford them all, then buy them. However, if your budget as an employer or a consumer is limited, choose the best tools available for the money. At the end of the day, your health is the most important asset you have as an individual. And businesses need healthy employees.

The best health care coverage comes in a variety pack — physical, emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual. Buy the package and you get them all, or you can concentrate on an ala carte menu from the manufacturer. Either way, it pays to seek out the best tools, and the best pricing for them. Your health care toolbox should make sense financially, and it should provide you the opportunity to get and stay healthy. Do you have the right tools in your health care toolbox?

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