| Whether you have just finished your | | | | some companies require that you be |
| bachelor degree or are about to finally | | | | employed for up to six months before |
| complete your PhD dissertation, you are | | | | their health coverage kicks in. Also |
| probably wondering about health | | | | make sure you understand the status of |
| insurance options. Before you take that | | | | your employment with this new company. |
| next step in life, check out the 8 | | | | With the economy the way it is, many |
| health care options for recent | | | | firms are forced to cut costs by hiring |
| California graduates listed below. | | | | on new employees on a consultant basis. |
| 1. No Insurance | | | | If you are hired on as a consultant |
| Clearly the least expensive, this option | | | | rather than as a full-time employee, |
| is arguably perfect for the | | | | your new employer may not be obligated |
| standard-issue super hero your | | | | to offer you health insurance. Ask the |
| Supermans, Cal Ripkins and the like. If | | | | HR division of your new company how they |
| you do not fall into this category and | | | | handle benefits. |
| plan to leave the house, play hoops, | | | | Pros: Many employers offer multiple, |
| ski, drive, wear high heels or slice a | | | | high-quality health plans to choose |
| bagel, you should look into the other | | | | from. Often these plans offer excellent |
| options on the list. Consider these | | | | comprehensive medical coverage. Also, |
| facts. | | | | your contribution is taken directly from |
| - 12 million people are rushed to the | | | | your paycheck for minimum hassle and |
| emergency room for accidents annually. | | | | maximum benefits. |
| Over 22% of all injury visits to | | | | Cons: You have to actually get a job |
| Emergency Rooms are by otherwise healthy | | | | first. Even when you do, look closely |
| individuals with sports related | | | | you may be without coverage for your |
| injuries. | | | | first 3 to 6 months. |
| - The average hospital visit can cost 5 | | | | 6) Short-term health insurance |
| times as much for someone without | | | | Some insurance companies sell short-term |
| insurance as it does for the big medical | | | | coverage that allows you to be covered |
| insurers like Aetna or Blue Shield. An | | | | anywhere from 1 to 12 months. Short term |
| uninsured patient might be charged | | | | health insurance usually does not cover |
| $14,000 for an appendectomy, while an | | | | any previous medical conditions so read |
| HMO with big bargaining power might be | | | | the fine print. Short-term insurance has |
| billed only $2,500 for the same | | | | a daily option which allows you to |
| operation. | | | | select the exact amount of days you want |
| - In 1999 nearly 500,000 Americans filed | | | | to be covered so you will not be charged |
| for bankruptcy protection because of | | | | for two whole months if you only need 45 |
| excessive medical bills, accounting for | | | | of medical coverage. This might be a |
| approximately 40% of personal | | | | great solution for someone who needs |
| bankruptcies. | | | | temporary coverage until his or her work |
| Realistically, having no insurance is | | | | medical plan kicks in. Warning: Usually |
| not an option. Even Jonny Knoxsville has | | | | there are no refunds or changes once a |
| health insurance. | | | | short-term policy is in force and you |
| Pros: Its free. | | | | must pay the whole amount in full if you |
| Cons: If you get injured or become ill, | | | | go for the daily option. Before you go |
| you and your family can be hit with a | | | | with short-term coverage, compare it |
| devastating financial burden. Many ERs | | | | with an individual coverage plan (#7 |
| request a cash deposit from the | | | | below). Sometimes individual coverage is |
| uninsured prior to treatment! | | | | less expensive, more comprehensive and |
| 2. MediCal | | | | easy to cancel. Remember short-term |
| MediCal is Californias version of | | | | insurance is not renewable. |
| Medicaid; a state/federal health | | | | Pros: Designed for people who are |
| insurance program for individuals who | | | | in-between coverage. |
| have poverty-level income and few-to-no | | | | Cons: Can be expensive and coverage is |
| assets. MediCal covers children, the | | | | limited and non renewable. |
| elderly, blind and/or disabled, and | | | | 7) Individual Coverage |
| people who are eligible to receive | | | | Individual health insurance coverage |
| federally assisted income. To learn more | | | | comes in all shapes and sizes. In |
| about MediCal, visit . Dont get MediCal | | | | California, big name companies such as |
| confused with MediCare. MediCare is the | | | | Blue Cross, Health Net, Pacificare, and |
| Federal health insurance program for | | | | Kaiser all offer individual medical |
| Americans age 65 and older and for | | | | insurance. Individual coverage runs the |
| certain disabled Americans. | | | | gambit as far as cost and comes in two |
| Pros: Its free. | | | | main categories HMOs and PPOs. Your |
| Cons: Qualification parameters are | | | | price is based on your age, type of |
| limited to the disabled and those with | | | | coverage, and where you live. One thing |
| extremely low-income levels and are | | | | is for sure: They prefer to insure |
| strictly enforced. Dont try to cheat | | | | healthy people. Those with pre-existing |
| this system its bad karma. | | | | medical conditions rarely receive the |
| 3. Free Clinics | | | | lowest rate. On the positive note, much |
| Most urban areas have local clinics that | | | | has changed since the prehistoric days |
| offer low-cost or even free medical care | | | | of monumental insurance paperwork and |
| including routine doctor visits, STD, | | | | snail mail. Forms that used to take 20 |
| and HIV testing. Services vary by clinic | | | | days to fill out and file, can often be |
| check your local phone directory for a | | | | completed in about 20 minutes online |
| list of clinics near you. A free clinic, | | | | with e-signatures. To get a quote and |
| however, does not function like an | | | | see examples of health insurance |
| emergency room, and therefore cannot | | | | premiums for you age visit . |
| help you if youve blown out your ACL | | | | Pros: Pick the plan that works for your |
| playing touch football with your idiot | | | | needs and budget. Easy to sign up for |
| friends on Thanksgiving. Free clinics | | | | online |
| generally do not offer major surgery, | | | | Cons: A comprehensive plan with |
| hospital stays, or long-term care. | | | | prescriptions, no charge doctor visits |
| Pros: It is low-cost, and may even be | | | | and no deductible can get pricey. Also |
| free. | | | | those with many previous medical |
| Cons: Clinics do not function as | | | | conditions are often bumped up to more |
| full-fledged hospitals, nor do they | | | | expensive policies. |
| allow patients to choose their own | | | | 8) COBRA |
| doctor. Also, bring something to read | | | | While sounding like a bad heavy metal |
| youll be there awhile. | | | | band, COBRA actually stands for |
| 4. Mom and Dad | | | | Consolidated Omnibus Budget |
| Most family insurance plans will cover | | | | Reconciliation Act. COBRA was designed |
| kids up to age 19 if they are not | | | | so that individuals who leave their jobs |
| full-time students, or until age 25 if | | | | (read: fired) can still purchase the |
| they are (you must be able to verify | | | | same insurance policy that they had with |
| that you are a full-time student to be | | | | their previous employer. If you were |
| included in your parents coverage). Some | | | | already covered under your parents |
| plans stop coverage immediately upon | | | | policy and have recently graduated, you |
| graduation, while others will extend | | | | may qualify for COBRA. You must notify |
| coverage through the first three months | | | | your parents plan administrator within |
| following graduation. Check with your | | | | 60 days of termination of your coverage |
| parents plan to see when your coverage | | | | (usually graduation from college) and |
| ends. When it does, one option is to | | | | tell them you would like to elect Cobra. |
| simply purchase the same coverage as you | | | | Cobra coverage can be very expensive, |
| had under your parents plan. Click here | | | | but there are typically no restrictions |
| to get a quick quote. | | | | for pre-existing conditions and the |
| Pros: Staying under your parents plan is | | | | coverage can be discontinued after |
| great if you qualify. | | | | permanent insurance is found. You will |
| Cons: You have to be under 19 or be able | | | | be able to use cobra for at least 18 |
| to prove that you are a full time | | | | months. |
| student to qualify. | | | | Pros: Coverage will be exactly what you |
| 5. New Employer | | | | are used to, as it is simply a paid |
| If you get a full time job after | | | | continuation of your previous plan. |
| graduation, your job may come with | | | | Cons: Usually expensive. If more than 60 |
| health insurance benefits as part of | | | | days have passed since your coverage |
| your total compensation package. But | | | | under your parents plan ended, youve |
| check with your human resources contact | | | | missed the boat. |
| and read your offer letter closely -- | | | | |