Health Insurance

Just for College Grads: Post Graduation Health Insurance
Information
Clelland Green
2007-05-17

You recently graduated from college and you are looking forward to the new opportunities ahead of you and striving toward your career goals. But, no one has mentioned health insurance before now. . .

Most likely, you've never had to understand health insurance before since you were covered under one of your parents' plans. Like thousands of other new grads, you may have lost your coverage unexpectedly. Your coverage may have been terminated upon graduation since you are no longer considered a "dependent." If you were unaware that this could happen, you need to find out if it truly has before you find yourself without coverage right when you need it most.

First, to determine if you are covered, contact your family's health insurance provider right away and have your policy number when you call. Ask about your current status and eligibility. Some policies will continue coverage until a graduate reaches a particular age or no longer continues in full-time studies. If your policy does not continue health insurance coverage upon graduation, then you need an individual health insurance policy.

With all of the other expenses you have, you may be tempted to forego health insurance. You may be asking yourself if you really need it since you’re young and pretty healthy. In today’s world, you do really need your own health insurance coverage because:

If the unexpected happens, you couldn’t pay for all of your medical expenses.
You can have peace of mind, knowing you will receive the care you need.
The burden won’t be placed on others to care for you.
You can go to the doctors and hospitals you choose.
You could receive reimbursements on gym membership, massage, and sports equipment on some policies, which would help cover the cost of the policy itself.
You can receive covered “Valued Added Benefits” such as discount dental, eye care, massage, chiropractic, and other expenses you are paying for on your own right now.

Now that you are sure that you need health insurance coverage, there are many factors to keep in mind as you start to look into buying your own health insurance policy. These include:

monthly cost
out-of-pocket expenses
doctor networks
prescription drug coverage

You should also examine your job outlook. If you are just beginning to look for employment or don’t have any firm prospects, it could be months until you obtain coverage from your new employer. You can’t afford to go that long without health insurance coverage. When you do find a job, you won’t have insurance through your employer until their coverage comes into effect. Nowadays, the effective date is often six months to a year after your first day of employment, leaving you without coverage and in need of your own health insurance policy.

There are many options and variables for you to consider in determining the right health insurance plan. Too many it seems. You may go online to find coverage and settle for an online site or telemarketing company that doesn’t know or care about your individual needs or situation – they are just looking for the next sale. When making a major decision, such as buying health insurance, you must talk to an expert to ensure you make the best choice for your situation.

If you choose to look at coverage from several companies, here are a few things to consider or outright ask:

Is the company licensed to sell insurance in your state? Does the company represent multiple “A” rated insurance carriers or do they only sells plans for one insurance carrier? Is the company selling you a plan based on how it meets your needs? (i.e. Is anyone listening to your needs and then recommending a specific plan that meets those needs?) Is the company resourceful and responsive by returning your calls quickly and answering all your questions? Will the company service your account throughout the lifetime of the policy?

Also, keep in mind that health insurance premiums are filed with the State Department of Insurance. It doesn't matter if you buy from an agent or directly from the health insurance company, you'll pay the same monthly premium for the same plan. If someone is telling you that they can give you an exclusive rate, don’t believe them.

With all of the health insurance plan options and types, along with the variances by state, it would be difficult to outline everything in this article. To ensure you get the a quality health insurance plan for your needs and budget, find a trustworthy health insurance advisor, like one you can find through www.Compare-Health-Quotes.com, who will put your best interest first and assist you through the decision-making process.