Individual Health Insurance for Recent Graduates
According to the article “Recent Graduates: In the Market for Health Insurance”, by Francesca Lunzer Kritz in The Los Angeles Times, recent college graduates should make obtaining individual health insurance a top priority.
The author offers some great tips to the new graduate. Thoroughly read and understand your current health insurance coverage. Often your coverage through your parents ends when you graduate, but it may last longer. Consider using Cobra for the 36 months after your coverage ends. If Cobra is not for you or you want something long term be sure to shop around with different carriers or websites that get comparison quotes. It is often is a good idea to stick with large, reputable carriers.
Consider all your health insurance options. Don’t automatically choose catastrophic care and figure in all costs. Short term plans are often cheaper but do your homework because they often are not the best way to go. If at all possible continue with your university coverage because typically they offer outstanding benefits at very competitive rates.
