You might have heard that employees spend more timeplanning a vacation than figuring out their benefit choices duringopen enrollment.

Well, duh. We'd all rather be wading into an infinity pool inCancun instead of stuck in the suburbs, wading through openenrollment options—and that even goes for employee benefitspeople, who live and breathe HSAs and deductibles.

But paying attention to your benefits choices can help you savemoney, says Renee Preslar, communications manager at TransamericaEmployee Benefits.

“It's important to spend time reviewing your company's voluntarybenefits options,” she says. “With high-deductible health plans onthe rise, supplemental insurance can add value to your benefitsportfolio and help you save money on your annual medicalexpenses.”

So how are employees supposed to know what kinds of insurance toconsider and what benefit levels to select? These 10 questions fromTransamerica are a good place to start.

What's my share of medical costs?

Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts are on the rise, sobe sure to find out what they are before looking at policiesdesigned to help with these and other expenses.

An important part of financial planning is understanding whatyou would have to pay for a costly medical event such as anaccident or critical illness.

What are my out-of-pocket non-medical expenses?

Many expenses such as transportation, child care, and lostincome due to missing work are not covered by your major medicalinsurance.

These non-medical costs can add up quickly.

Do I want to use my savings for these expenses?

Even if there's enough money in the bank to handle them,wouldn't you rather use your savings for your next vacation?

Supplemental insurance is an option some consider.

For example, according to Transamerica, a critical illness policy would pay a lump sumcash benefit after a heart attack, and that money could be used fortravel to see a specialist or to cover child care while you focuson recovery.

How would I make up for lost income if I became disabled?

Many employers offer some sort of coverage for long-termdisability.

Consider what could happen if you couldn't work for three to sixmonths due to a back injury. Short-term disability insurance wouldprovide a percentage of your pay for a specified period oftime.

How might my health history affect my health benefitsneeds?

Past problems could indicate a predisposition to other problemsand recurrences of similar issues.

Is there a chance you might need hospitalization? Hospitalindemnity insurance pays benefits for hospital stays.

How might my family medical history affect my health benefitsneeds?

Has anyone in your family had cancer, heart disease, or highblood pressure?

Consider how cancer insurance or critical illness insurance canhelp if you've likely inherited certain family illnesses.

How might my family's leisure activities affect my benefitsneeds?

Playing sports, hiking, or spending time at the lake?

Some activities carry more risk of injury. Accident insurancepays benefits you can use for medical bills and other out-of-pocketexpenses.

Will I be able to schedule routine eye exams and dentalcleanings?

Your eyes may be a window to your soul, but they can also helpdetect potential health issues. Plus, protecting your oral healthrepresents a crucial disease-prevention strategy.

Vision and dental insurance can be helpful.

Consider what you'd spend without one or both of these types ofpolicies, and balance that amount against the cost of coverage.

How does my age affect my health risk factors?

Getting older can make insurance even more important.

At younger ages, the risk is lower, so some types of insuranceare more affordable. Take a look at your employer's grouprates—they may be lower than you think.

Will my loved ones need my income in the event of mydeath?

Do I have life insurance? Do I have enough life insurance? Grouplife insurance is competitively priced and offers certain levels ofcoverage on a guaranteed issue basis.

For employees, asking these questions and checking with youremployer about these benefits can help create a clearer picture ofyour life and supplemental health insurance needs so that you canselect the right policies to help protect yourself and your familyfrom life's curve balls.