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Health Insurance For The Recent College Graduate
As you graduate college and head into the great, big, scary world, there are probably a lot of things on your mind. First and foremost is finding a good job, then finding a place to live, and then maybe figuring out how to pay back those student loans. One thing that might not cross your mind is health insurance. All of your life, youve most likely been a dependent on your parents coverage, but that ship is about to sailif it hasnt already.
We know what youre thinking, Why do I need health insurance? Im young, Im healthy, and doctor visits are few and far between. So why pay for something Ill never use? Hey, we understand where youre coming from. But accidents and illnesses happen without warning, even to the strapping young adults such as you. Sure, health insurance is expensive, but not having it will cost you dearly.
First things to know
Lets get one thing straight, health care in the United States is a nightmare, few will argue that. There are thousands of options when it comes to receiving care and paying for it, some of them good, some of them not so much. When it comes to choosing an insurance policy thats right for you, confusion abounds. So lets learn a little more about your options.
There are two essential categories of health insurance: managed care and indemnity plans. Though youll pay more for indemnity coverage, it offers much more flexibility than does a managed care plan. Through indemnity coverage, youll have your choice of doctor, lab, hospital or specialty clinic. When you seek medical care, youll have to pay an out of pocket expensecalled a deductiblebefore your coverage will kick in. Deductibles range from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more, depending on your policy. Also, indemnity plans require a co-payment on medical care; meaning youll be responsible for a percentage of the treatment costs along with your deductible. Generally, indemnity plans pay only for accidents or illness; they usually dont cover preventative care.
Managed care is the complete opposite of indemnity coverage. Deductibles are usually smaller, co-payments are lower, and preventative care is usually covered. Your options, however, are limited. Through a managed care plan, you can only choose between health care providers who are contracted by your health maintenance organization. If you go elsewhere, you paythe full amount. Since thats a pretty rough deal, many managed care plans are offering hybrid options that include many of the desirable characteristics of an indemnity plan.
Which way to go
If you find a job that offers health insurance and youre single, take it. It may not be perfect, but it beats anything you can find on your own. When you sign up through your employer, youll probably be confronted with many options. Take a good, long look at them and ask for help from a human resources representative if need be, but make sure you choose the plan thats right for you. Chances areif youre young and healthy youll want a plan with a low premium and higher deductible. Look for a plan that minimizes your out-of-pocket expenses. When it comes to choosing between and indemnity plan or a managed care plan, you may or may not have a choice depending on your employer. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, so make sure to crunch the numbers before committing to one or the other.
Make yourself a deal
Though health insurance is a costly part of our lives, there are ways to save. If youre self-employed, shop around before you commit to a plan. If youre under 50 and in good health, insurance companies will want your business, and cut rates are to be had. Also, take advantage of breaks from Uncle Sam. The self-employed can write off up to 45 percent of their insurance premiums. Some employers offer flexible spending accounts, where you can pay for premiums and costs not covered by insurance with cash that isnt subject to taxes.
If youre married and your spouse also can get coverage from their employer, weigh your options carefully. It might benefit you financially and coverage-wise if you measure the pros and cons of separate coverage, double coverage, or one of you opting out of your works plan and enrolling in the others.
Finally, if youve been healthy and believe you can get by with minimum health coverage, look into purchasing catastrophic coverage. This indemnity policy offers extremely low premiums, but deductibles can be very highup to $2,500. Coverage is extremely limited to catastrophic events, which youll need to learn all about.
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