If you and your mate are both covered by insurance at your jobs, the insurance companies may coordinate your benefits. That means that whatsoever is not covered by one plan (your primary carrier) could be paid by the former(a)--provided you and your spouse are each covered under the other's insurance plan. You may never encounter more than 100% of the cost of the program provided. Not all insurers have the same regulations, so check with your employee benefits counselor to see how benefits will be interconnected.

If you lose or leave your employment, you have the option of extending your existing insurance reportage for up to 18 months under The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA). The same law allows an job holders family to continue coverage for up to three years following death or divorce. COBRA permits you to continue your health care coverage at your former employer's group rate, plus a small (maximum of 2%) administrative fee. If you fail to pay the premiums, your coverage will be nul and void and you will not be able to reestablish it.

COBRA coverage ends when you start new employment with health benefits. The option to draw out coverage under COBRA is critical if you cannot afford the high costs of an individual policy or if you have a preexisting precondition.

As an individual.

If you are self-employed or not working, and are not covered by another family member's insurance, you should purchase an individual policy. The premiums for single person can be costly, even for the most basic plans. The best advice is to comparison shop and purchase the best coverage you can afford. Group insurance coverage may be available to members of certain trade or professional organizations. A few states have 'risk pools,' which provide insurance coverage to any person regardless of prior health problems. check into with your state insurance section if you are unable to obtain coverage on your own. Note that some preexisting conditions may not be covered under your individual health insurance service. Be sure to determine with your insurance provider what is and is not covered.

Medicare and Medigap insurance policies.

Once you are 65, you can obtain Medicare insurance policies from the federal government's health insurance program. You also may qualify if you have certain ailments. Medicare does not pay all of your costs, and there are deductibles. Excluded are most nursing-home care or long-term care in the dwelling. Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. Many people over 65 buy a Medigap policy from a private insurer to supplement Medicare reportage.

There are 12 standard Medigap plans, labeled A through L, which make it easy to comparison shop. Depending on which bundle you choose, Medigap coverage may pay for such things as Medicare deductibles, coinsurance amounts or prescription medication. Medigap insurers must accept you, regardless of preexisting conditions, if you apply within six months of becoming eligible for Medicare. If you wait longer, you may be refused coverage.