Unfortunately, value does not have a neat metric to sum it up and can be hard to measure, unlike comparisons of cost. (Image: Shutterstock)

For many, the decision about which health plan to go with comes down to one thing: how much are the premiums?

While cost is certainly an important consideration, the strong focus on premiums misses a more significant measure of comparison: value. Brokers play a key role in helping clients compare plans and integrate questions and considerations of value into the conversation to help clients choose a plan that addresses their unique needs. In today's complex health care environment, value is important to both employer clients and plan members, so it's necessary to look at how insurers are driving value.

Related: Value, not cost, driving benefit plan decisions