Helth Cover

Even with the recent health care reform, if you aren’t eligible for Medicare you’ll want to find some coverage. So how do you go about finding affordable health care insurance? Try this 10 sources. 

1) Your place of employment — Probably one of the most affordable ways to get a policy is through a group health insurance plan at your work.

2) Go shopping to compare — If you can’t get group coverage, do some comparison shopping to find the cheapest health insurance. Types of plans can vary as much as rates, with different coverages, deductibles and health provider networks. Review three plans or more to make sure you find the right one to cover your needs with affordable premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses.

3) An agency in your area — Spend some time on the phone with local agents and brokers to request quotes, or see if they offer that service from a Web site.

4) Try an online comparison Web site — There are sites on the Web that offer a single place to get multiple individual health insurance quotes. This is a great way to shop online because it can save time and provide privacy.

5) Go direct to the insurer — Many health insurance companies will work directly with you on providing quotes and information. They often have television commercials or send out direct mail letters with toll-free numbers that allow you to call a health insurance company directly. You can also easily look them up on the Internet and see their Web sites.

6) See what your school offers — If you’re a student, coverage may be offered by your college or university at a group rate. In fact, a student health insurance policy can be a big help if your parents’ policy doesn’t cover you any longer.

7) Check associations — If you are a member of an association, credit union or other organization, see if they have a group plan offered to members. The savings may not be as much as you’d get with a company group plan, but it still could be worth it.

Ask someone you know — People you know — friends, family, etc. — may be able to recommend different insurers based on what they have as a plan. Just be sure to still get comparisons to make sure you get a plan that fits you.

9) State insurance departments — The department of insurance for your state most likely offers pointers on picking a health insurer, including a list of companies licensed to do business in your state. Their Web site should be full of information.

10) Look at temporary coverage — A temporary or short-term policy can be a way to get limited coverage for a short time while you are waiting to get group benefits.