Who Uses Individual Health Insurance?

Individual health insurance plans do not come cheap, but are often essential for those who would otherwise have no access to health insurance coverage, due to health, employment or other issues.

Self-Employed

• The biggest market for individual health insurance is the self-employed. With no employer to provide benefits, it's up to those who work for themselves to provide benefits, including individual health insurance.

Employees

• Employees of companies or organizations that do not offer health insurance or offer health insurance that isn't the coverage employees want, must also purchase individual health insurance coverage. Employees who have a waiting period before they are eligible for coverage from their employer may also purchase individual health insurance coverage.

Unemployed

• Unemployed persons whose COBRA health insurance coverage will run out before a new job is found, use individual health insurance plans to ensure they will not have lapses in coverage.

Students

• College students who are no longer covered under a parent's health insurance plan may purchase individual health insurance if coverage is not offered through the school.