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Editor's note: This is the first article in a series about various aspects of healthcare insurance plans among physician practices. This month, we discuss ways practices can lower insurance costs and understand premiums, and how size, demographics, and research can affect the provider and the employee's plan. Finding an insurance plan that will operate the best, be understood by and appeal to staff, and compete well with other neighboring practices is an imperative task physician practice providers must complete if they want to get the best outcome. The key factors for most practices when considering a new or revised healthcare plan include the overall cost to the staff member and the employer, annual premium increases, the number of employees at the practice, and the type of community and location.