Buying Health Insurance: A Millennial’s Guide
One of the most important, yet complex products you will purchase as an adult is health insurance. But with a nearly endless list of options, individual state laws to abide by, and constant changes in what insurance companies offer, choosing the right health insurance plan has never been more challenging.
That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to purchasing health insurance for millennials.
Employer-Sponsored
In the world of health insurance, employer-sponsored policies reign supreme for most individuals. Many employers provide health insurance coverage at no cost to their employees or for only a fraction of the actual premium. Yet, there are also a couple drawbacks to consider before enrolling. Let’s look at the pros and cons of employer-sponsored health insurance.
Pros:
- Cost: Employer-sponsored health insurance is usually the most affordable option, as employers often contribute to the cost of the premium.
- Convenient: Having your health insurance coverage through your employer makes it easy to enroll and manage your coverage, with any premiums automatically deducted from your paycheck.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Many employer-sponsored health insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
Cons:
- Limited Provider Network: Some employer-sponsored health insurance plans have limited networks of doctors and hospitals. This means you may lose your primary doctor by switching to an employer-sponsored plan.
- No Choice in Plan: With employer-sponsored health insurance, you often have limited options for choosing your insurance plan and may not be able to select the plan that best fits your needs.
- Job Loss: If you lose your job, you may also lose your health insurance coverage, meaning that you will need to find alternative coverage until you are able to obtain a new job with healthcare benefits.
Regarding job loss, there is an option to purchase coverage under COBRA. This coverage extends your employers’ health insurance coverage for up to 18 months. However, you are responsible for the entire premium, which is typically much higher than other health insurance options.
Short Term Health Insurance
If there is one thing millennials are known for, it might be job hopping. According to Gallup, 1 in 5 millennials have changed jobs in the past year. This means losing employer-sponsored health insurance. A short-term health insurance policy can fill in the gap until you land your next job with healthcare coverage.
Pros:
- Cost: Short-term health insurance plans are generally more affordable compared to traditional health insurance plans.
- Flexibility: These plans offer more flexibility in coverage period and plan options. You can choose the length of coverage that fits your specific needs.
- Speed: Traditional insurance requires medical underwriting and can take more than a week to obtain. Short-term health insurance plans can often be purchased on the same day, providing coverage immediately.
Cons:
- Limited Coverage: Short-term health insurance plans generally offer limited coverage compared to traditional insurance plans. They may not cover pre-existing conditions or specific medical procedures.
- Renewal: These plans often do not renew automatically, which means you will have to reapply for coverage once the plan expires.
- No Obamacare Protections: Another downside to short-term health plans is that they are not required to cover essential health benefits, and they are not subject to the same consumer protections as Obamacare plans.
A short-term health insurance plan is a good choice if you are looking for a quick, cost-effective solution while in between jobs. However, they come with limitations and drawbacks that must be considered before purchasing a policy.
Catastrophic Health Insurance
If your new employer doesn’t offer health insurance, or you’ve decided to step out on your own, cost becomes a much bigger concern. One option is a catastrophic health insurance plan. These plans provide a safety net for the worst-case scenario, but expect to pay more initially for care in the form of deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Pros:
- Cost: Besides short term medical plans, catastrophic health insurance policies tend to be much more affordable than traditional health insurance plans. This makes these policies a good option for those on a budget.
- Coverage for Big Medical Expenses: The purpose of these policies is to provide coverage for major medical expenses. This includes hospital stays, emergency room visits, and most surgeries.
- Coverage Gap: Catastrophic insurance policies serve as a financial backstop for those who are uninsured or underinsured, offering coverage for major medical expenses that might otherwise be unaffordable.
Cons:
- Limited Coverage: Catastrophic health insurance policies provide limited to no coverage for routine medical expenses, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
- High Deductibles: These policies often come with high deductibles. This means you will pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
- No Obamacare Protections: Just like short-term health insurance, many catastrophic insurance policies may not be subject to the same consumer protections as Obamacare plans.
Catastrophic health insurance policies are a good option for those looking for affordable coverage for major medical expenses. However, it is critical to be aware of their limitations and drawbacks.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a government-sponsored program providing health insurance to low-income individuals and families. If your time in between jobs lasts for more than a year, and you have a limited income, you may be eligible to qualify for Medicaid coverage.
Pros:
- Cost: As a government-sponsored program, health insurance coverage is offered for no cost in most cases.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Medicaid covers a wide range of medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
- Obamacare Protections: Medicaid is subject to the same consumer protections as Obamacare plans. This means it must cover essential health benefits and cannot discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Cons:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for Medicaid, you must meet specific income requirements, which can vary from state to state.
- Limited Provider Network: Medicaid plans often have limited networks of doctors and hospitals. This may mean not having access to your current physicians.
- Long Waitlists: In some states, there may be long waitlists for Medicaid coverage, requiring you to wait months before you become eligible.
Medicaid should be viewed as an option of last resort due to its limited coverage and lack of choice when it comes to access to doctors. However, for those with little to no income, Medicaid serves its purpose of providing coverage when other options may not be within reach.
Individual Health Insurance
Individual health insurance plans, whether purchased through a health insurance exchange or from the private market, offer the widest choice of options for your coverage needs. With so many choices, it is important to spend time reviewing each plan carefully before making a purchase.
Pros:
- Choice: With a private health insurance policy, you can choose from a variety of insurance plans and select the one that best fits your needs and budget.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Many private health insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
- Additional Coverage: Supplemental coverage may also be available with a private health insurance plan. including dental and vision coverage.
Cons:
- Cost: Private health insurance policies can be expensive. Depending on your income, plans purchased through a health insurance exchange may be eligible for tax credits to offset some or all your premium.
- Limited Provider Network: Some private health insurance plans have limited networks of doctors and hospitals. This means you may not have access to your preferred choice of doctors.
- Obamacare Protections: Only insurance policies offered through a health insurance exchange must include consumer protections required under Obamacare. Private health insurance policies purchased outside of an exchange do not have the same protections and may not cover essential health benefits or protect those with pre-existing conditions.
Conclusion
There you have it: the five types of health insurance available today for millennials. Choosing the right plan requires a balance between your personal health needs, physician access, and cost. An independent health insurance agent can help you navigate all your options and help you select the best plan that meets your needs and budget.
But don’t wait! The best health insurance plans almost always require medical underwriting. Since our health can change in an instant, begin your health insurance search today.
Featured Blogs
- Brown and White Eggs: What’s the Difference?
- DIY Disaster Preparedness Kit: Make your own disaster preparedness kit with these essentials to keep your property and family safe
- Why Supplemental Health Insurance Might Be Worth Considering
- The Benefits of Bundling: How Combining Policies Can Save You Money
- Health Savings Account: Is It Worth It Having it?
- The Impact of New Technology on Insurance
- Healthy Living on a Budget: How Insurance Can Help You Save on Wellness Expenses
- Protecting Your Investments: The Role of Insurance in Wealth Management
- Understanding Co-Pays vs. Coinsurance: Making Sense of Your Health Insurance Costs
- Insurance Myth Busters: Debunking Common Misconceptions about Coverage
- Understanding Your Health Insurance Deductible: Tips for Making the Most of Your Coverage
- The Evolution of Insurance: Trends and Innovations Shaping the Industry
- Healthy Habits for the Summer: Tips for Utilizing Your Health Insurance Benefits
- The Future of Work
- Emergency Preparedness: How Insurance Can Provide Peace of Mind During Crises
- Managing Chronic Conditions: How Health Insurance Can Help You Stay Healthy All Year Round
- Navigating Insurance Renewals: Tips for Reviewing Your Policies
- The Importance of Preventive Care Coverage: How Your Health Insurance can Save You Money in the Long Run
- Easy & Creative Ideas to Refresh Your Home for Summer
- Health Insurance 101: A Guide for Recent Graduates
- How Milestones Can Affect Your Coverage Needs
- Safeguard Your Medicare Number: A Guide to Avoiding Fraud and Protecting Your Benefits
- How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking in the Middle of the Night
- Embrace Strong Bones: Tips for Lifelong Health
- How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
- How to Avoid Muscle Loss as You Age
- The Rise of Urban Gardening
- Art of Mindful Eating: Transform Your Meals, Transform Your Life
- Fueling Your Mind with Brain-Boosting Foods
- 5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Immune System (and 1 unusual way)
- Embracing Our Roles: Renewing Our Commitment to Sustainable Living
- Tips for a Stress-Free Tax Season Experience
- Spring fitness ideas
- Inspirational women who make the world a better place
- Creating a Positive Start to Your Day
- Spring Forward: Adjusting Your Routine for Daylight Saving Time
- Gratitude - Key to a Positive Mindset
- Adopting a Holistic Wellness Approach to a Healthier You
- 3 Common Sense Things People Should Know
- Exploring Superfoods: Nutrient-Packed Ingredients for a Healthy Diet
- Unraveling the Mystery of the Extra Day
- Digital Detox: A Healthy You in a Hyperconnected World
- Financial Fitness in 2024: Budgeting and Saving Tips
- Three Joyful Habits for a Healthier You in 2024
- New Year's Resolutions: Staying Committed Year Round
- The Magic of Christmas Traditions
- Staying Healthy During the Winter Months!
- How to be a Time Management Whiz During this Busy Season
- Self-care tips for December
- Mastering the Mind: Techniques for Better Memory and Cognitive Function
- The Art of Productive Procrastination: How to Make the Most of Downtime
- Eating for Energy: Foods that Boost Your Stamina and Productivity
- How to enjoy and celebrate chilly, gloomy days
- Thriving in Your Golden Years: Strategies for Aging Gracefully and Vibrantly
- Best Dog Breeds that Suit Your Needs
- Reduce Stress: Develop Patience
- DIY Delights: Creative Projects for Seniors
- Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Long-term Health Benefits of Physical Activity
- How to Trim Down Hidden Costs of Flying
- Best foods for hydration
- How to Experience Positive Aging (8 Tips)
- How to Improve Your Health: The 5 Main Aspects of Wellness
- How much should you actually have in savings?
- Are you underinsured for your circumstances?
- How to Build Sustainable Wealth
- How to Maintain Our Body
- Enhancing Resilience as We Age
- The Body After 60: Overcoming Barriers to Exercise
- The best herbs to grow for beginners
- Foods you had no idea you could freeze
- Is celebrating your 100th birthday no longer a dream?
- Medicare and Medicaid: Dual eligibility
- Summer Workouts for Your Dose of Vitamin D
- What’s Keeping You from Losing Weight?
- Music and Your Wellbeing
- Your NEW Social Security Statement
- How to Dispose of Unused Medications
- Smart Home Systems: Promoting a Comfortable Environment for Seniors
- Aging and Our Body’s Ability to Heal Itself
- Keeping Health Insurance After a Layoff
- Waking Up to the Impact of Insomnia
- How Life Insurance Benefits Women
- What experts say about raising the retirement age
- Coverage for healthcare treatment denied? Here's what you can do.
- Sharing the Road with Cyclists
- Buying Life Insurance for an Elderly Parent?
- Living Your Best Life After 60
- Buying Health Insurance: A Millennial’s Guide
- Self-Love Ideas for Valentine’s Day
- Life Without Clutter
- Set Yourself Up for Success with Your Fitness Routine
- Winter Hydration – Do I Need It?
- I’m 60+; Do I Need Life Insurance?
- Why Do I Keep Breaking My New Year's Resolutions?
- Closing Out the Year with a Smile!
- How to Enjoy a Long Layover
- 6 Cold Weather Safety Tips
- 10 Tips for Managing Cholesterol Levels
- How Much Life Insurance Do You Need Right Now?
- 3 Top Tips for Better Posture
- Building Bone Density for Seniors
- Living Outside Your Comfort Zone in Retirement
- 3 Top Habits that Lead to a Happy Life After Retirement
- Should You Insure Your Gifts?
- Everything You Need to Know When Retiring Under 65
- 7 Benefits of Slow Travel
- Utilizing Medicare Preventative Services
- The Harsh Reality of Credit Card Fees
- Keeping Your Health Insurance Affordable
- 7 Tips to Weather Challenging Periods in Your Life
- What is a Variable Annuity? 4 Key Details You Should Know
- 4 of the Best Ways to Stay Healthy this Summer
- How to Prevent Sun Damage to Your Eyes
- 3 Tips for Safer Grilling
- When the Sun is NOT Your Friend (What You Need to Know about Sun Exposure)
- Tips to Avoid Stress Eating
- Common Exercise Pains – How to Work Past Them and When to Call for Help
- Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen (and what to do about it)
- How Does Inflation Affect Life Insurance?
- Know the Benefits of Walking
- Do Brain Food Supplements Really Work?
- Ways You Can Spend Less on Gas
- What Are Alternatives if LTC isn’t Right for You?
- 4 Tips for a Less Stressful Summer
- Veteran and Medicare Benefits Work Together
- What are the Safest States From Natural Disasters?
- How to Choose an In-Home Care Provider for Your Loved One in 5 Steps
- 7 Myths About Your Back Pain
- 5 Foods that Will Help Keep Your Mind Healthy
- Don’t Throw Away Those Used Coffee Grounds
- I’m 50 Years Old. Should I Keep My Life Insurance?
- How to Spot Government Imposters
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Life Insurance Policy
- Happiness Through Healthy Food