short term health insurance

[lalalalexi]

I am currently in nursing school and will graduate in May. I was working full time until two weeks ago when I decided to drop hours because it was getting too stressful. Anyway, I am no longer eligible for medical benefits and I just found out my COBRA payment to keep my insurance would be over $400 per month and I really cant afford this. I only need coverage for 2-3 months and have heard a little about short term insurance. I know that sometimes nursing schools require health insurance while in school so I thought maybe some of you out there might have some recommendations or advice about short term insurance (or any companies to avoid). Thanks!

[mappers]

Talk to an agent. I've used short term insurance and individual policies a few times in my life and I always went through an agent. Talk to the agent you get your car or homeowners from (or your parents' if you don't have homeowners.) First time I had it was in the 1990's and it was $50.00 a month. Last time was for my kids, $65.00 a month for both of them. These were "catastrophic" plans that would cover major hospitalizations, but not necessarily RX or Dr's appt. This maybe all you need if you're young and healthy. Also, check with your universty student health department. They might have something as well.

One of the reasons we have an insurance agent instead of going through someone like Safe Auto or Geico.....

[fungez]

I've read everything I can get my hands on about health insurance since I have an individual plan and I find the subject interesting. Talk to an agent, but you're probably okay with a short-term plan IF you are positive you can get another policy at the end of the short-term. Get the highest deduc. you can - the odds are against you putting in a claim so the deductible shouldn't matter. But make sure it will cover major things, cancer, severe accidents, etc.

Your university might have a plan but the trouble with that is they sometimes have a very low maximum. Yeah, they're cheap, because they'll only pay for 50K or so, and then you're maxed out.

I had a six month plan when I moved from KS to TX and I think it cost 250 bucks for me and my daughter. Then I decided I wanted to work PRN so I got an individual plan.

Kudos for being responsible about this.

[retiredlady]

If you are healthy, then just go ahead and get an individual policy or short term policy. But, be aware that you might not get a job for awhile if you get a short term. But if you have pre existing conditions you need to get a policy before 63 days are up from quitting your old job so that the pre existing conditions will slide over to the new policy without hurting you. Otherwise, they might not cover you or cover those conditions for 12 months or whatever is their policy. Whatever you do, be sure you are covered if you can afford it. My older child didn't and he is still paying for medical bills two years later.