Individual Health Plans - Emerging Trends (cont.)
(6/28/2005)

Source: MarketWatch

At eHealthInsurance, plans with a $1,000 deductible are the most popular individual health plans purchased among individuals, who typically range from age 31 to 35.

But some people prefer to take a higher deductible -- $2,500 or even $5,000 -- in exchange for a lower premium. That trend may accelerate as more and more people show interest in high-deductible plans eligible to be treated as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Only about 15% of individuals and families who apply for health insurance on eHealthinsurance.com are rejected based on pre-existing conditions, though some people with prior health problems are accepted at a higher premium.

Even so, consumers in the individual health insurance market need to proceed with caution, looking to see what kind of state regulations are in effect and how the benefits are structured to make sure they won't be left underinsured, said Gail Shearer, director of health-policy analysis at Consumers Union.

"In general, people are better off with health insurance than without any insurance," Shearer said. "It's always easy to insure young, healthy people. The challenge for this country is to figure out how to insure the older and sicker, so I can't get too excited" about the study.

EHealthInsurance was the primary source of data for this study, but the company also used data from various states' Divisions of Insurance to determine health insurance prices in their respective states or cities.

Best rates on Individual Health Plans

Individual Health plan - Gender Differences