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| Changing Health Coverage |  Changing health insurance is a ritual part of changing jobs, graduating from school or beginning your own business. Fortunately nowadays it is much easier and less expensive than in the past. If you want to change your coverage, you need to read the following tips:
1. Do not try to replace your insurance plan if you have a critical medical condition. Instead, contact your current insurer directly to ask about prolongation of coverage options.
2. Do your own research. A lot of people who purchase their own health insurance replace their coverage in less than a year. Purchase the plan that proposes you the best deal now and do not worry whether it will be available in a year. Next year a completely new generation of health plans will appear. A plan that you purchased more than a year ago would not likely be useful for you today. If you are eligible for short-term medical insurance plans, student medical plans or foreign travel insurance plans use them. These propose better deals if you qualify.
 3. Select a higher deductible. You will save more than $1000 in premium payments over a year's time by taking a $1000 deductible. This should be an easy solution from a mathematical viewpoint. Some young people can purchase a high deductible insurance plan for less than $30 per month to cover any critical medical issues.
4. It is better to use free enrollment offers. With an increasing number of plans now charging an up-front enrollment fee, look for deals to save the enrollment fee whenever possible.
5. Select indemnity type coverage and try to avoid HMOs whenever possible. This helps you and your doctor maintain control of your medical care. There are no “networks”; you select your own doctor and hospital and are free to switch at any time. Since this type of coverage is equally valid everywhere in the country, there are no limits on travel.
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