• Individual Health Insurance
• Group Health Insurance
• Student Health Insurance
• Medicare Supplemental Insurance
• Short-Term Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Travel Insurance

In this section:

Individual / Family Health Insurance

The Underwriting Process

Guaranteed Issue Individual Health Insurance

Key Benefits to Individual Health Insurance

For those persons that do not have a COBRA option and are not eligible for standard issue individual health insurance, there may be options available that do not require the completion of a health questionnaire. In just a few states, including New York, insurance companies must insure any person that applies for coverage. Coverage options may be limited and premiums are usually high in these states because most insurance companies prefer to not participate in these states that prohibit them from being selective about whom they insure.

In some states, insurance companies must offer guaranteed issue coverage to any individual that is HIPPA eligible. In short, this includes any person that has had at least 18 months of continuous coverage, with the most recent coverage being provided through an employer sponsored group plan.

In other states, there are State High-Risk Pools that provide options for the un-insured, or those that are losing their COBRA benefits. These programs are not typically available to persons that have a COBRA option, other group insurance, or have not been denied coverage under an individual health plan.
Guaranteed issue options and the laws that apply to them, will vary considerably by state. Consult with your state’s Department of Insurance or a health insurance professional for more information. Use caution in shopping for a guaranteed issue health plan, as many discount medical plans or limited benefit plans market themselves heavily to this segment of the population. We will summarize these types of plan options later in this guide.