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, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals and families, today released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) designed to help 2010college grads better understand their health insurance options.

A recent Kelton Research survey sponsored by eHealthInsurance hasshown that more than one in three (37%) graduating seniors in thepast three years found themselves without health insurance the dayafter graduation(1). Within three years of graduation, over twentypercent (21%) were still without health insurance(1). This year’sgraduates will face special challenges when it comes to obtainingemployer-sponsored health insurance. Hiring of new college graduatesis expected to increase this year compared to last, but the NationalAssociation of Colleges and Employers reports that employers stillplan to hire 16.7% fewer college graduates in 2009-2010 than they didtwo years ago in 2007-2008(2).

Provisions of health reform scheduled to become effective in 2010will provide some protections for college students, graduates andother young adults:

– Those who buy their own health insurance in the non-group health insurance market will enjoy added consumer protections– Those under the age of 26 will also have the option to maintain health insurance coverage through their parents’ policies– Those with pre-existing medical conditions but without the option to move onto a group or family plan may be able to join new high-risk health insurance pools

However, such provisions will not guarantee coverage for every graduateand there are no financial safety nets for young adults who remainuninsured. Anyone incurring a major medical expense due to injury orillness will still be responsible for his or her own medical bills.

The following FAQs are designed to help new college grads navigatethese and other issues to find the right health insurance for theirneeds and budget:

Question: I’m graduating college this year. How does health reform impact me?

Answer: Health reform’s most dramatic provisions won’t come into effect until 2014 but there are several changes scheduled for 2010that may help new college graduates:

– Individuals purchasing health insurance on their own will enjoy stronger protections against policy cancellations and dollar limits restricting their total benefits– Beginning September 23, 2010, young adults under age 26 can be covered under a parent’s health insurance plan; some insurance companies will allow grads to enroll earlier than this date or simply retain their coverage after graduation; in other cases, you may need to wait for the next open enrollment period before signing up for your parents’ plan– Also beginning September 23, 2010, new health insurance plans will be required to provide more robust coverage for preventive care services– Within 90 days of the bill’s signing, high risk pools will be established in which persons with pre-existing medical conditions — who might be declined elsewhere — can obtain coverage if they’ve been uninsured for six months or more

Question: What are my health insurance options after graduation thisyear?

Answer: There are five basic options for graduating seniors who find themselves uninsured after graduation in 2010:

– Find a job with employer-sponsored health insurance coverage — If you’re one of the lucky ones this year, you’ll find employment right out of school with a company offering you health insurance.– Purchase health insurance on your own — In most states, there is a broad range of individually-purchased health insurance plans to choose from, and healthy young adults may find it especially affordable. Work with a licensed online health insurance agent like eHealthInsurance to get quotes, compare plans and apply for the plan best suited to your needs.– Get back onto your parents’ plan — If your parents have health insurance and you’re under the age of 26, you may be able to re-enroll in their policy.– Purchase short-term health insurance — A short-term health insurance plan may provide you with several months of basic protection while you’re waiting for another health insurance option to become available.– Go uninsured — Unfortunately, many of today’s grads will go without coverage and leave themselves open to crippling debts resulting from unexpected injury or illness. Be smart and don’t take this option if you can help it. No one should start off his or her adult life buried under a mountain of avoidable debt.

Question: If I choose to go back onto my parents’ plan, when can I dothat?

Answer: Health reform legislation requires that insurance companiesallow adult children under the age of 26 to re-enroll in theirparents’ plans beginning in September 2010. Some insurers areallowing earlier enrollment, or else allowing students who arecurrently covered on their parents’ plan to keep their coverage aftergraduation and avoid an uninsured summer. In other cases, grads mayhave to wait until the plan’s first open-enrollment period afterSeptember 23, 2010 before they can enroll in a parent’s policy. Tolearn more, contact your parents’ Human Resources department or insurance company.

Question: Isn’t there a new government-sponsored plan I can sign upfor this year?

Answer: Not necessarily. The final version of the health reform billsigned into law by President Obama did not include a so-called’public option’ health insurance plan managed by the federalgovernment. Beginning in 2014 there will be new insurance policiesfor individuals and families available from not-for-profit insurancecarriers. But if you have a qualifying pre-existing medical conditionwhich might make it difficult for you to get coverage on your ownthis year, you may be able to sign up for coverage through ahigh-risk pool. State high-risk pools are available in many statestoday and health reform legislation will expand the scope of highrisk pools between 2010 and 2014. However, high-risk pools aregenerally open only to persons who have been uninsured for six monthsor more and the costs of coverage under existing high-risk pools arenotoriously high.

Question: Are there any good reasons not to go back onto my parents’health plan?

Answer: Yes. You could save money by considering other options. Talkto your parents and ask them to find out how much their monthlyhealth insurance premium is likely to increase if you’re added backonto the policy. Then take a look at your options in the privatehealth insurance market. Get quotes and compare plans from leadinghealth insurance companies in your area and see if it makes moresense for you to purchase coverage on your own. Your parents may bewilling to help you fund your own coverage if an individual planprovides you with the protection you need while also saving themmoney.

Be careful not to cancel any current health insurance plan until youare approved for coverage under a new policy.

Question: Isn’t it too expensive to purchase coverage on my own?

Answer: Not necessarily. Healthy young adults in many states can findindividual health insurance plans available for $70 a month or less.Health reform is making individually-purchased health insurance moreattractive through added consumer protections against exorbitant rateincreases, cancellation of your policy after you become ill, andarbitrary caps on your lifetime benefits. It’s worth doing a littleresearch online to understand what’s available in your state. If youprefer to talk with a licensed agent by phone, call eHealthInsuranceat 1-800-977-8860.

Question: Are there any special risks in short-term health insurancecoverage?

Answer: Yes. Short-term health insurance is a good choice for some,but not for everyone. Most short-term plans do not cover serviceslike prescription drugs, women’s health or preventive care services,and they typically will not cover care for pre-existing medicalconditions, even if you’re approved. However, if coverage under aparent’s plan isn’t an option for you and you can’t afford topurchase individual coverage, a short-term plan may still provide youwith a layer of temporary protection that can save you money in caseof serious illness or hospitalization.

Question: What if I have a pre-existing condition? Can’t I be turneddown when shopping for coverage on my own?

Answer: Yes, in most states it is still possible to be deniedcoverage due to your medical history. In 2014, when the finalprovisions of health reform are phased in, this will no longer be thecase. Until that time your options are limited to one of thefollowing:

– If your parents are insured, you may be able to enroll in their health insurance plan without fear of being declined for medical reasons– You may be able to continue with your current health plan through COBRA, the federal law allowing consumers to temporarily extend their group health insurance coverage at their own expense in specific circumstances– If you can demonstrate a history of credible coverage, you may qualify for what’s known as a “HIPAA” health insurance plan through various insurance companies — talk to a licensed agent like eHealthInsurance to learn more– If you’ve been uninsured for at least six months, you may qualify for coverage under the new federal high-risk pools that are due to open to the public 90 days after the signing of the health reform bill– You may also qualify for other state-based health insurance options for those with pre-existing medical conditions — contact the non-profit Foundation for Health Coverage Educationwww.coverageforall.org

Question: My parents can’t add me to their coverage and I can’t affordit on my own. What are my options?

Answer: Until 2014, when federal subsidies are made available to helpqualifying persons afford health insurance, we suggest the following:

– Make sure you really can’t afford it on your own — Work with a licensed online agent like eHealthInsurance to get free quotes for insurance plans in your area– If you’re lucky, you may land a job that offers health insurance benefits, but if not, then:– Contact the Foundation for Health Coverage Education to find out what low-income government-sponsored health insurance options may bewww.coverageforall.org 800-234-1817

Notes:

(1) From a survey conducted in March 2010 by global insights firmKelton Research and sponsored by eHealthInsurance. To learn moreabout the survey results, refer to eHealthInsurance’s April 20, 2010press release available at: http://news.ehealthinsurance.com/ (2) NACE, Job Outlook 2010 Spring Update:http://www.naceweb.org/Research/Job_Outlook/Job_Outlook.aspx

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