As the date of graduation draws closer, most college graduates are overwhelmed with the tasks that lie ahead of them: perfecting their resume, applying for jobs, starting their career, and moving to a new location – in essence, making the move from “college life” to “adult life.” And while most college graduates take these tasks very seriously, they often forget something very important – health insurance.

While in college, most students are covered under their parent’s health plan – which is great, until graduation day. Most family health insurance policies will cover a child until they are no longer a full-time student (although certain age restrictions do exist). Likewise, other students may be covered under their University’s health insurance plan – which also terminates upon graduation. So while you’re searching for jobs, apartments, and your new path in life, you should also start searching for a quality health insurance plan. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Employer Health Insurance – Even with today’s economic recession, many employers are still trying to offer an affordable health insurance package for their employees. If you’ve already been offered a job, the Human Resources department at your new employer should be able to provide you with all the group health insurance information you need. Be sure you fully understand the health insurance policy and the insurance benefits available to you. If you are still looking for employment, be sure to keep health insurance in mind when weighing your options. Group health insurance plans are often the most affordable insurance options you can find.

Individual Health Insurance Deductibles - If you’re searching for an individual health insurance plan, there are a few important things to keep in mind – one in particular is your insurance deductible. Your “deductible” is the yearly amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage will begin. If you opt for a health plan with a higher deductible, your monthly payments will be lower. Health insurance plans come with a wide variety of deductible options, typically ranging from $500 – $5,000 per year. High Deductible plans are quite popular among people who want to rely on their health insurance coverage only for emergencies and unexpected medical visits. We recommend that you get some free quotes on individual health insurance plans and compare the different plans – look at the deductibles, monthly premiums, and coverage benefits.

Short Term Insurance is an Option – Short term health insurance plans are designed to provide you with insurance coverage while you are “in between” other forms of coverage. So, if you’re planning to start working at a new job that offers group health insurance within the next year, you may want to consider using a short term health plan until then. These health insurance plans are designed to cover you for medical emergencies only – they will not cover a simple doctor’s visit for the flu. But, if you get into a car accident or develop a major health problem, you’re covered. Essentially, it’s a safety net – a form of protection against huge medical debts.

Your Location is Important – Health insurance rates vary drastically across the country. And because each state has its own health insurance rules and regulations, the health insurance competition in each state varies drastically as well. Surprisingly, cities that have a higher cost of living typically have more affordable health insurance options.  So, while you’re searching for your new career and a new place to call “home,” we strongly recommend that you do some research on the health insurance costs for that area before you move.

Remember, going without health insurance is a big risk – Many younger people consider health insurance an unnecessary expense. But medical emergencies can come up quite unexpectedly – and in today’s economy, most of us don’t have money saved up for these emergencies. Although your budget may be tight, you should at least research your health insurance options to see what type of health insurance coverage you can afford. Because when you’re faced with a $20,000 medical bill from an unexpected car accident, any form of health insurance is better than none at all.

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