The Best Individual Healthcare Plans

Finding individual health insurance plans can be a daunting task, but with a little research and help from an insurance-brokerage website, you should be able to find something suitable for you and your family. Going to one of the websites listed here is a good start, as these sites help you determine what individual plans are available in your state and can also give you a general idea about how much you can expect to pay according to age, location of residence and current health situation. Be aware of your options, and know that some states may reject you as an individual plan holder because of pre-existing health conditions.

COBRA Coverage

• For employees who've been laid off or who left an employer for one reason or another, obtaining COBRA health insurance coverage is a good option. COBRA is basically the continuation of the ex-employee's health insurance. The catch is that you pay the full amount of coverage, which can be very expensive. This is a good option if you just want coverage for a short period of time while looking for another job or applying for individual plans.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

• Another option for individual health insurance is the Blue Cross Blue Shield family of health care providers. Depending on what state you live in, you may be eligible for health insurance under the umbrella of this national federation of independent and community-based health care providers. For instance, in New York state it is Empire Blue Cross, while in California it's Blue Shield of California. The rates tend to be reasonable, and PPO and HMO plans are available. But make sure you research plans thoroughly, speak with a representative and read all the information carefully before enrolling.

Kaiser Permanente

• An option for many Californians, Kaiser Permanente offers individual health care plans but can be more expensive than Blue Shield of California, depending on your age and any pre-existing health conditions. Kaiser's family of hospitals is found throughout California and has many preventative health programs. If you are under the Kaiser health insurance plan, you are covered only if you seek treatment from a Kaiser medical clinic or hospital, which makes it harder for people who don't live near a Kaiser health facility.

Aetna

• Aetna is another health insurance provider that offers individual plans. You can find plans in different states. In New York, for instance, you can choose between an HMO or a QPOS plan, or enroll in the Health New York Plan. The website offers a lot of comprehensive information on all these plans, including rate charts. Many of the plans are reasonably priced, but, again, you have to make sure you read all the information carefully so you know what you are paying for.