How to buy your own health coverage

Of the roughly one in seven people surveyed who had no health insurance, 76% said they could not afford to buy it. only about 7% of those surveyed had purchased health insurance on their own, and 71% of these people were unhappy with their policies, a yearlong investigation by Consumer Reports shows. With 47 million uninsured Americans, it's obvious that buying individual health insurance is more and more difficult.Athough it is not simple, group health insurance is not only one chioce for everyone.

As companies cut expenses , many people who try to buy individual health insurance either can't find coverage or can't afford the coverage they're offered. This guide offers information and advice on dealing with an important necessity of life.

Plowing Through the Insurance Market

Rights and restrictions on buying health insurance are different in diffeerent state. Some states allow insurers to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, while others require insurers to offer plans to high-risk individuals. Always research your individual situation before making any decisions about insurance.

"In most states, companies can charge you more or deny coverage for pre-existing conditions," Flanagan says. But in a handful of states, they can't. Get the details from your state insurance department so that you know what to expect.
For example:
1. Check HealthInsuranceInfo.net, a resource provided by Georgetown University, to get information on your state's policies.
2. Be a member of COBRA (continuation of benefits from previous employment), paying for your old job's health insurance can offer better and more complete coverage than individual plans
3. protect yourself by not going without coverage for more than 63 days.


Find Available Plans
Take time to investigate what kind of plans you have access to. You don't want to sign up with the wrong carrier and be trapped by monthly premiums that don't provide the best benefits you can buy. Use your computer to get a list of insurance companies, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, HumanaOne, Unicare United Healthcare , American Medical Security, so you can get an overview of what's available in your area.

Although buying your own health insurance can be a trial, it would be even worse to be in a medical emergency and not have coverage. Keep trying until you find a policy you can live with.