1. Health Insurance
What graduating college students should know.

2. Why you need health
insurance…
 Large medical bills are one of the primary reasons people file for
personal bankruptcy.
 Even “minor” surgeries can cost thousands of dollars.
 Without health insurance, you will usually have to prove you can
pay for medical care before receiving treatment, except in
emergencies.
 Delaying medical or dental treatment can lead to more serious,
and costly, health problems.

3. Hopefully you will have a job
that provides good health
insurance coverage.
What if you don’t?

4. Finding affordable plans…
The amount you pay each year for health-care coverage is called your
health insurance premium. Premiums are affected not just by your age, but
also by the components of your policy.
To keep premiums low, consider the following:
 Higher deductibles: A deductible is the amount that you must pay out of your
pocket each year before your policy kicks in. Deductibles typically range from $500 to
$5,000 per year. Higher deductibles usually mean lower premiums.
 Higher co-payments: A co-payment is an amount that you pay toward medical
care. Co-payments are made in addition to the deductible on your policy. With higher
co-payments, you may pay more at the time of a doctor's visit or hospital stay. However,
your premiums overall will be lower.
 Higher total out-of-pocket maximums: Your out-of-pocket
maximum is the total amount that you must pay toward your health care
under your plan. Most plans cap off your out-of-pocket costs at a certain
amount. In general, the more you pay yourself toward medical costs, the
lower your annual premium.
Source: www.cashcourse.org/unh

5. 9 things to look for in a plan…
1. Appropriate coverage for preventive care
2. Maximum benefits allowed for catastrophic illness or injury
3. Coverage for mental health
4. Coverage for prescription medications
5. Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
6. Reasonable waiting period for pre-existing conditions
7. Co-payment of 25% or less
8. Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness
9. Are there any pre-existing exclusions or waiting periods?

6. Where to get health insurance
in New Hampshire…
The State of New Hampshire Insurance Department Web site lists
companies who are licensed to sell individual health plans in the
State of New Hampshire.
nh.gov/insurance/consumers/healthinscos.htm.
If you are not a resident of New Hampshire, visit
healthinsurance.org

7. Learn more about health insurance and financial
management
www.projectcash.unh.edu
Health Services, University of New Hampshire