8 Health Care Options For Recent California Grads
Whether you have just finished your bachelor degree or are aboutto finally complete your PhD dissertation, you are probablywondering about health insurance options. Before you take thatnext step in life, check out the 8 health care options forrecent California graduates listed below.

1. No Insurance Clearly the least expensive, this option isarguably perfect for the standard-issue super hero – yourSupermans, Cal Ripkins and the like. If you do not fall intothis category and plan to leave the house, play hoops, ski,drive, wear high heels or slice a bagel, you should look intothe other options on the list. Consider these facts.

- 12 million people are rushed to the emergency room foraccidents annually. Over 22% of all injury visits to EmergencyRooms are by otherwise healthy individuals with sports relatedinjuries.

- The average hospital visit can cost 5 times as much forsomeone without insurance as it does for the big medicalinsurers like Aetna or Blue Shield. An uninsured patient mightbe charged $14,000 for an appendectomy, while an HMO with bigbargaining power might be billed only $2,500 for the sameoperation.

- In 1999 nearly 500,000 Americans filed for bankruptcyprotection because of excessive medical bills, accounting forapproximately 40% of personal bankruptcies.

Realistically, having no insurance is not an option. Even JonnyKnoxsville has health insurance.

Pros: It’s free.
Cons: If you get injured or become ill, you and your family canbe hit with a devastating financial burden. Many ER’s request acash deposit from the uninsured prior to treatment!

2. MediCal MediCal is California’s version of Medicaid; astate/federal health insurance program for individuals who havepoverty-level income and few-to-no assets. MediCal coverschildren, the elderly, blind and/or disabled, and people who areeligible to receive federally assisted income. To learn moreabout MediCal, visithttp://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/default.asp? . Don’t get MediCalconfused with MediCare. MediCare is the Federal health insuranceprogram for Americans age 65 and older and for certain disabledAmericans.

Pros: It’s free.

Cons: Qualification parameters are limited to the disabled andthose with extremely low-income levels and are strictlyenforced. Don’t try to cheat this system – it’s bad karma.

3. Free Clinics Most urban areas have local clinics that offerlow-cost or even free medical care including routine doctorvisits, STD, and HIV testing. Services vary by clinic – checkyour local phone directory for a list of clinics near you. Afree clinic, however, does not function like an emergency room,and therefore cannot help you if you’ve blown out your ACLplaying touch football with your idiot friends on Thanksgiving.Free clinics generally do not offer major surgery, hospitalstays, or long-term care.

Pros: It is low-cost, and may even be free.

Cons: Clinics do not function as full-fledged hospitals, nor dothey allow patients to choose their own doctor. Also, bringsomething to read – you’ll be there awhile.

4. Mom and Dad Most family insurance plans will cover kids up toage 19 if they are not full-time students, or until age 25 ifthey are (you must be able to verify that you are a full-timestudent to be included in your parents’ coverage). Some plansstop coverage immediately upon graduation, while others willextend coverage through the first three months followinggraduation. Check with your parents’ plan to see when yourcoverage ends. When it does, one option is to simply purchasethe same coverage as you had under your parent’s plan. Clickhere to get a quick quote.

Pros: Staying under your parents’ plan is great if you qualify.

Cons: You have to be under 19 or be able to prove that you are afull time student to qualify.

5. New Employer If you get a full time job after graduation,your job may come with health insurance benefits as part of yourtotal compensation package. But check with your human resourcescontact and read your offer letter closely — some companiesrequire that you be employed for up to six months before theirhealth coverage kicks in. Also make sure you understand thestatus of your employment with this new company. With theeconomy the way it is, many firms are forced to cut costs byhiring on new employees on a “consultant” basis. If you arehired on as a “consultant” rather than as a full-time employee,your new employer may not be obligated to offer you healthinsurance. Ask the HR division of your new company how theyhandle benefits.

Pros: Many employers offer multiple, high-quality health plansto choose from. Often these plans offer excellent comprehensivemedical coverage. Also, your contribution is taken directly fromyour paycheck for minimum hassle and maximum benefits.

Cons: You have to actually get a job first. Even when you do,look closely – you may be without coverage for your first 3 to 6months.

6) Short-term health insurance Some insurance companies sellshort-term coverage that allows you to be covered anywhere from1 to 12 months. Short –term health insurance usually does notcover any previous medical conditions so read the fine print.Short-term insurance has a “daily option” which allows you toselect the exact amount of days you want to be covered so youwill not be charged for two whole months if you only need 45 ofmedical coverage. This might be a great solution for someone whoneeds temporary coverage until his or her work medical plankicks in. Warning: Usually there are no refunds or changes oncea short-term policy is in force and you must pay the wholeamount in full if you go for the daily option. Before you gowith short-term coverage, compare it with an individual coverageplan (#7 below). Sometimes individual coverage is lessexpensive, more comprehensive and easy to cancel. Remembershort-term insurance is not renewable.

Pros: Designed for people who are in-between coverage.
Cons: Can be expensive and coverage is limited and non renewable.

7) Individual Coverage Individual health insurance coveragecomes in all shapes and sizes. In California, big name companiessuch as Blue Cross, Health Net, Pacificare, and Kaiser all offerindividual medical insurance. Individual coverage runs thegambit as far as cost and comes in two main categories HMOs andPPOs. Your price is based on your age, type of coverage, andwhere you live. One thing is for sure: They prefer to insurehealthy people. Those with pre-existing medical conditionsrarely receive the lowest rate. On the positive note, much haschanged since the prehistoric days of monumental insurancepaperwork and snail mail. Forms that used to take 20 days tofill out and file, can often be completed in about 20 minutesonline with e-signatures. To get a quote and see examples ofhealth insurance premiums for you age visithttp://www.medicoverage.com/individual.htm .

Pros: Pick the plan that works for your needs and budget. Easyto sign up for online
Cons: A comprehensive plan with prescriptions, no charge doctorvisits and no deductible can get pricey. Also those with manyprevious medical conditions are often bumped up to moreexpensive policies.

COBRA While sounding like a bad heavy metal band, COBRAactually stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget ReconciliationAct. COBRA was designed so that individuals who leave their jobs(read: fired) can still purchase the same insurance policy thatthey had with their previous employer. If you were alreadycovered under your parent’s policy and have recently graduated,you may qualify for COBRA. You must notify your parents planadministrator within 60 days of termination of your coverage(usually graduation from college) and tell them you would liketo “elect” Cobra. Cobra coverage can be very expensive, butthere are typically no restrictions for pre-existing conditionsand the coverage can be discontinued after permanent insuranceis found. You will be able to use cobra for at least 18 months.
Pros: Coverage will be exactly what you are used to, as it issimply a paid continuation of your previous plan.
Cons: Usually expensive. If more than 60 days have passed sinceyour coverage under your parents’ plan ended, you’ve missed theboat.

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