As you graduate college and head into the great, big, scary world, there are probably a lot of things on your mind. First and foremost is finding a good job, then finding a place to live, and then maybe figuring out how to pay back those student loans. One thing that might not cross your mind is health insurance. All of your life, youve most likely been a dependent on your parents coverage, but that ship is about to sailif it hasnt already.

We know what youre thinking, Why do I need health insurance? Im young, Im healthy, and doctor visits are few and far between. So why pay for something Ill never use? Hey, we understand where youre coming from. But accidents and illnesses happen without warning, even to the strapping young adults such as you. Sure, health insurance is expensive, but not having it will cost you dearly.

First things to know

Lets get one thing straight, health care in the United States is a nightmare, few will argue that. There are thousands of options when it comes to receiving care and paying for it, some of them good, some of them not so much. When it comes to choosing an insurance policy thats right for you, confusion abounds. So lets learn a little more about your options.

There are two essential categories of health insurance: managed care and indemnity plans. Though youll pay more for indemnity coverage, it offers much more flexibility than does a managed care plan. Through indemnity coverage, youll have your choice of doctor, lab, hospital or specialty clinic. When you seek medical care, youll have to pay an out of pocket expensecalled a deductiblebefore your coverage will kick in. Deductibles range from a few hundred dollars up to $1,000 or more, depending on your policy. Also, indemnity plans require a co-payment on medical care